hands down

Meaning

Adv

1. (idiomatic) without much effort; easily
2. (idiomatic) by a large margin (in a game or contest)
3. (idiomatic) without question; undoubtedly
4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hands, down.

Verb

third-person singular simple present indicative of hand down

hand down

1. To transmit in succession, as from father to son, or from predecessor to successor.
2. To deliver (the decision of a court, etc.)
3. To forward to the proper officer (the decision of a higher court).
4. (idiomatic) To donate (as second hand.)

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Synonyms

handily

by far

certainly

doubtless

doubtlessly

easily

effortless

indubitable

indubitably

no doubt

strictly

undoubted

undoubtedly

undoubtful

unquestionably

without doubt

at a canter

with a single blow

like sixty

beyond doubt

in a canter

Translations

de manera senzilla

spielend

zweifellos

εύκολα

asfalós

vevaíos

sígoura

vévaia

indubitable

sans peine

sans aucun doute

sans nul doute

agevole

agevolmente

amb facilitat

Etymology

The origin of this colloquialism seems to have its roots in mid-19th century horseracing. When a horse jockey is nearing the finish line far ahead of the competition, "with victory certain", he could drop his hands, relaxing his hold on the reins, and "still win the race". By the late 19th century the phrase was being used in non-racing contexts to mean 'with no trouble at all.'