"At the hand of" is a common expression in English language used to describe something that is done by someone. The spelling of this word is [æt ðə hænd əv] in IPA phonetic transcription. The sound of "at" is pronounced as /æt/ with a short vowel "a". The "th" sound in "the" is pronounced as /ð/ like the word this, and "hand" is pronounced as /hænd/ with a short vowel "a". Finally, "of" is pronounced as /əv/ with a schwa sound.
At the hand of is a phrase used to denote the source or origin of a particular action or event, often implying that someone or something is the cause or agent responsible for the occurrence. It suggests that something negative or unwanted has happened due to the actions of someone or something else.
The phrase "at the hand of" is derived from the literal sense of a hand being the physical instrument to perform an action. In this metaphorical context, it refers to the entity that is carrying out an action or causing a particular result. The term may be used to describe both intentional and unintentional actions.
When something is said to occur "at the hand of" someone or something, it implies a level of control or influence exerted by the agent. It suggests that the person or thing being referred to is the direct cause or perpetrator of an unfortunate event, often leading to negative consequences or harm.
For example, one might say that a company went bankrupt "at the hand of" mismanagement or poor financial decisions, implying that these factors were responsible for the company's downfall. Similarly, one might say that a person suffered from abuse "at the hand of" an abusive partner, emphasizing the partner's role as the aggressor.
Overall, "at the hand of" implies that someone or something is responsible for a specific outcome or action, often indicating a negative or unfavorable result.