The expression "hand in hand"

Question

A reader recently asked about the meaning of the expression hand in hand.

Answer

Hand in hand has two possible meanings. It is sometimes used to describe people who are holding hands, as in this example:

• They walked on the beach hand in hand.

It is also used to describe two people or things that are closely connected or related, as in these two examples:

• In a film, the images and sounds go hand in hand.
• The chef works hand in hand [=very closely] with a nutritionist.

I hope this helps.