Hand over fist
Meaning
To acquire money or make progress very rapidly and in large quantities.
Origin
The phrase originates from the era of sailing ships, where sailors needed to haul ropes, sails, or anchor chains with speed and efficiency. To do this, they would grip the rope with one hand, then slide the other hand further up, grip again, and pull, repeating the action in a continuous, rapid motion. This physical act of one hand quickly passing over the other allowed for maximum effort and swiftness in hauling. The visual of this quick, successive movement soon translated into describing any rapid accumulation, particularly of wealth or success, mimicking the steady, unbroken flow of hands pulling in a bounty.
Examples
- After the unexpected success of their new product line, the company started making profits hand over fist.
- The new political movement gained followers hand over fist as its message resonated with the public.