laid hands on

Got ahold of

Laid hands on means to touch, seize, or get hold of something.

It often implies finally obtaining what was sought: I couldn't find my keys until I laid hands on them under the couch.

The phrase can suggest physical aggression: If he ever laid hands on her, she'd leave.

In religious contexts, laying hands on someone is a ritual of blessing, healing, or ordination.

Related

snatched up · ordained · holy orders · exorcised · touched · grabbed · consecrated · blessed · captured · commandeered · procured · sanctified · held · anointed · clutched · claimed · appropriated · clasped

Opposites
physical acquisition/possession

laid hands onlet go of

released · relinquished · lost · gave up · surrendered

physical contact/violence

laid hands onleft alone

Not interfered with

held back · spared

degree of engagement with object

laid hands oncaught sight of

Briefly noticed visually

spotted · looked at · noticed · perceived · knew of

Family

laid, hands, hand, lays, laying, lain, layers, layered, handy

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG