The spelling of the word "hand and foot" may seem straightforward, but it actually involves several phonetic complexities. The word "hand" is spelled with the /h/ sound at the beginning, followed by the /æ/ vowel sound as in "cat," and the /n/ consonant sound at the end. Similarly, the word "foot" is spelled with the /f/ sound at the beginning, the /ʊ/ vowel sound as in "put," and the /t/ consonant sound at the end. Together, these two words create the phrase "hand and foot," pronounced as /hænd ænd fʊt/.
Hand and foot is a common idiomatic expression that has both literal and metaphorical meanings. In its literal sense, hand and foot refers to the limbs of the human body. The hand is the extremity of the arm, which is characterized by fingers and a thumb, used for grasping, holding, and manipulating objects. On the other hand, the foot is the terminal part of the leg, encompassing the ankle and toes, responsible for walking, balancing, and supporting the body.
Metaphorically, hand and foot implies being completely submissive or obedient. When someone is said to be at another's hand and foot, it suggests that they are under that person's absolute control or domination, readily performing tasks and fulfilling demands without questioning or hesitating. This idiom is commonly associated with servitude, compliance, and being at the mercy of someone else's will.
Additionally, hand and foot can also denote a particular card game. The game of hand and foot is a variation of Canasta, typically played by teams of two or three players. It involves strategic melding and the aim is to get rid of all the cards in your hand and foot by forming sets and runs.
In summary, hand and foot can have literal meanings referring to the limbs of the human body, metaphorical connotations indicating complete submission or obedience, as well as denoting a specific card game.