Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
at hand
English answer:
close up/close at hand (at a hand's distance)
Added to glossary by
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
Jul 18, 2006 14:37
17 yrs ago
English term
at hand
English
Other
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
When he (a native American) looked through the telescope, he couldn't believe his eyes ... he could see his wife [close at hand] though she was at the other end of the village
Is the expression "close at hand" appropiate in this context? Is it possible to say directly "could see his wife at hand"
suggestions welcomed! Many thanks.
Is the expression "close at hand" appropiate in this context? Is it possible to say directly "could see his wife at hand"
suggestions welcomed! Many thanks.
Responses
| 4 +5 | close up/close at hand (at a hand's distance) |
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
|
| 4 +4 | Neither is really appropriate. |
Richard Benham
|
| 5 | apparently close at hand |
Zhuoqi Mills (X)
|
| 3 +1 | omit it altogether |
jccantrell
|
Responses
+5
7 mins
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
France
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Selected
close up/close at hand (at a hand's distance)
*
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Note added at 13 mins (2006-07-18 14:50:42 GMT)
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he was looking through a telescope so that indicates as if close at hand. No need to add, as if.
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Note added at 13 mins (2006-07-18 14:50:42 GMT)
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he was looking through a telescope so that indicates as if close at hand. No need to add, as if.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Alexander Demyanov
: w/"close up" only. See Richard's answer for "close at hand". "At a hand's distance" is not really an idiom
29 mins
|
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Thank you
|
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| agree |
pomiglia
: "close at hand" - no; "close up" or "up close" - yes!
50 mins
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Thank you
|
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| agree |
MikeGarcia
1 hr
|
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Thank you
|
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
4 hrs
|
|
Thank you
|
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| agree |
ErichEko ⟹⭐
: The wife seemed so close in the telescope as if the man could grab her.
12 hrs
|
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Thanks
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks Ana María. Muchas gradcias"
+4
6 mins
Richard Benham
France
France
Native in English
&
English
France
When quality counts
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
English term (edited):
(close) at hand
Neither is really appropriate.
"At hand" is something else again. "Close at hand" doesn't really cut it either, because it suggests she really is nearby, which is not the case here. Maybe "as if close at hand" would do the trick.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Alexander Demyanov
30 mins
|
| agree |
Tony M
37 mins
|
| agree |
Alison Jenner
48 mins
|
| agree |
Peter Shortall
4 hrs
|
+1
8 mins
jccantrell
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
Was nicht ist, kann noch werden.
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
44
omit it altogether
You say he could see his wife but she was down the street, therefore she is not what I would consider 'close at hand.'
You have enough text explaining the situation. Omit the part in brackets.
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Note added at 12 mins (2006-07-18 14:49:17 GMT)
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or, since he is amazed with the telescope, change it to
e could see his wife AS IF SHE WERE CLOSE AT HAND ALthough she was at the other end of the village
You have enough text explaining the situation. Omit the part in brackets.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2006-07-18 14:49:17 GMT)
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or, since he is amazed with the telescope, change it to
e could see his wife AS IF SHE WERE CLOSE AT HAND ALthough she was at the other end of the village
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Richard Benham
: I don't think you can omit it altogether. Your other suggestion is rather similar to mine.
3 mins
|
| agree |
Alexander Demyanov
: w/the "AS IF.." option
28 mins
|
3 hrs
apparently close at hand
...or seemingly close at hand
Discussion