soft hands
Smooth, careful grip
Soft hands describes a gentle, sure touch when receiving or handling something.
In sports, especially baseball and basketball, a player with soft hands catches passes or fields balls smoothly, absorbing impact rather than fighting it: He's got soft hands at first base.
The phrase extends to any skilled, delicate manipulation: a surgeon's soft hands.
In contrast, someone criticized for having soft hands lacks the calluses that come from physical labor—implying inexperience or weakness.
Gentle loving touch
- featherlightExtremely light, weightless-feeling
- tenderSoft or sore
- sootheGently ease discomfort
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
stroking · cradling · brushing · patting · reassuring · calming · comforting · sensitive
Physician who operates
- pianistOne who plays piano
- massage therapistOne who manipulates soft tissue
- calligrapherDecorative handwriting artist
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
jeweler · potter · goldsmith · pickpocket · card dealer · pastry chef · safecracker · luthier
Smooth and lustrous
- velvetySoft and smooth-textured
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- suppleFlexing without damage
- satinySmooth and lustrous
buttery · plush · downy · sleek · unblemished · uncalloused · touchable · refined
Hydrating skin cream
- lotionLiquid skin moisturizer
- manicureCosmetic fingertip grooming
- spaTherapeutic wellness facility
- exfoliationShedding surface skin cells
massage · cream · balm · paraffin · cuticle oil · emollient · hydration · buffing
Quick and light-moving
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- deftSkillful and quick
- agileLimber and quick-moving
coordinated · controlled · tactile · steady · subtle · nuanced · measured · fluid
Hold closely in arms
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- warmthHeat you feel
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
reassurance · caregiving · motherly · protective · bonding · empathy · gentleness · holding
Without hardened skin
- desk jobSeated indoor employment
- white-collarOffice work designation
- pamperedLavished with indulgence
- shelteredKept safe from harm
inexperienced · aristocratic · leisured · office worker · unworked · gentleman · lady · unblemished
caress
Gentle loving touch
- featherlightExtremely light, weightless-feeling
- tenderSoft or sore
- sootheGently ease discomfort
delicate · stroking · cradling · brushing · patting · reassuring · calming · comforting · sensitive · careful
surgeon
Physician who operates
- pianistOne who plays piano
- massage therapistOne who manipulates soft tissue
- calligrapherDecorative handwriting artist
seamstress · jeweler · potter · goldsmith · pickpocket · card dealer · pastry chef · safecracker · luthier · watchmaker
silken
Smooth and lustrous
satiny · buttery · plush · downy · sleek · unblemished · uncalloused · touchable · refined · polished
moisturizer
Hydrating skin cream
exfoliation · massage · cream · balm · paraffin · cuticle oil · emollient · hydration · buffing · pampering
nimble
Quick and light-moving
agile · coordinated · controlled · tactile · steady · subtle · nuanced · measured · fluid · graceful
embrace
Hold closely in arms
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- warmthHeat you feel
affection · reassurance · caregiving · motherly · protective · bonding · empathy · gentleness · holding · cradling
uncalloused
Without hardened skin
- desk jobSeated indoor employment
- white-collarOffice work designation
- pamperedLavished with indulgence
sheltered · inexperienced · aristocratic · leisured · office worker · unworked · gentleman · lady · unblemished · refined
- horse trainingriding instructor, racehorse trainer, horse whisperer, breaker, positive reinforcement
- hockey skillspuck handling, stickhandling, deke, deking, dangle
- horse controlbridle, bit, reins, curb, leading rein
- post playpost, post up, post-up, post move, post moves
- card gamespoker, blackjack, solitaire, hearts, spades
- de-escalationde-escalation, calming, defusing, pacification, placation