swift-handed
Definition
Adjective: "swift-handed" describes someone who acts or moves with quickness and dexterity, especially in using their hands. It implies speed, efficiency, and often skill in manual tasks.
Usage Examples
- (The surgeon used their hands quickly and skillfully.)
- (A thief who moves their hands very fast to steal unnoticed.)
- (She typed very quickly and efficiently.)
Advanced Usage
"swift-handed justice": a metaphorical phrase meaning quick and decisive punishment or resolution.
- The king delivered swift-handed justice to the rebels, executing them the next day. (Justice was carried out with speed and severity.)
"swift-handed response": a reaction that is immediate and effective.
- The fire department's swift-handed response saved the building from total destruction. (Their quick actions prevented worse damage.)
Variants and Related Words
Swift (adj): moving or capable of moving at high speed.
- The swift runner won the race easily. (The runner was very fast.)
Handed (adj): used in combination to describe the skill or use of hands (e.g., "left-handed", "heavy-handed").
- He was a left-handed pitcher. (He threw with his left hand.)
Swift-handedly (adv): in a swift-handed manner.
- She swift-handedly caught the falling glass before it shattered. (She caught it quickly and skillfully.)
Synonyms
- Quick-fingered: having nimble and fast fingers.
- Deft: neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
- Nimble: quick and light in movement or action.
Related Idioms
Quick on the draw: able to act or react very fast.
- The cowboy was quick on the draw, firing his gun before his opponent. (He was fast in drawing and using his weapon.)
Light-fingered: having a tendency to steal, or being very nimble in picking pockets.
- The light-fingered thief was arrested at the market. (The thief was skilled at stealing quickly.)