Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Completely, in every possible way; with total or excessive attention to someone's needs or demands. This phrase describes serving, attending to, or being bound to someone or something in an extremely thorough, subservient, or all-encompassing manner.

Usage

The phrase "hand and foot" is almost exclusively used as an adverbial phrase following verbs like "serve," "wait on," "bind," or "tie." It emphasizes the completeness of the action, often implying a lack of freedom for the person being served or an extreme level of devotion from the person serving. - It is used to describe excessively attentive service. - It is used to describe total physical restraint.

Examples

• The wealthy heiress was used to being waited on hand and foot by a team of servants.
• During his illness, his family served him hand and foot.
• The kidnappers bound him hand and foot and left him in the warehouse.
• I don't want a butler to attend to me hand and foot; I value my independence.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: The phrase can be used figuratively to describe being completely constrained by rules, obligations, or circumstances.
  • The new regulations have tied the researchers' hands and feet, preventing any innovative work.
• Idiomatic Pattern: The structure is almost always "[verb] someone hand and foot." The verbs are typically transitive.

Variants and Related Words

• Hand in glove: (Idiom) In very close association or partnership. (Note: This is a different idiom about close cooperation, not about service or restraint).
• Bound: (Verb) Tied; restricted.
• Attend to: (Phrasal Verb) To take care of someone's needs.

Synonyms

• Body and soul: With complete devotion. (Note: This emphasizes spiritual/emotional devotion, while "hand and foot" emphasizes physical service/restraint).
• Day and night: Constantly, without stopping.
• Round the clock: Continuously, all day and night.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Tie someone's hands: (Idiom) To prevent someone from acting freely. This is a related concept but less extreme than being bound "hand and foot."
• Wait on someone hand and foot: This is the most common full idiomatic expression using the phrase.

Adverb

1. in all ways possible
   • they served him hand and foot