The phrase "wrung hands" is spelled with the "wr" consonant cluster followed by "ung," which is pronounced as /ʌŋ/. The "wr" cluster is unique in English and is commonly mispronounced as "r" or "w." To correctly produce the "wr" sound, place the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth and pucker your lips. The word "wrung" means to twist or squeeze something dry, often referring to hands. The phrase "wrung hands" is a common expression used to describe someone experiencing anxiety or distress.
"Wrung hands" refers to a physical action that involves clenching and twisting one's hands together in a state of distress, worry, or anxiety. The phrase is derived from the verb "to wring," which means to twist and compress with force.
This action is often seen as a manifestation of inner turmoil, as people instinctively turn to physical gestures to express their emotional turmoil. It is a common response when someone is feeling helpless, agitated, or deeply concerned about a situation or decision.
The act of wringing one's hands typically involves interlocking the fingers tightly and then twisting them forcefully, creating a repetitive motion. The squeezing and rubbing motions are often performed in an attempt to relieve stress or to express intense emotional distress that words alone may fail to convey.
This hand-wringing gesture can be accompanied by other signs of anxiety, such as pacing, nail-biting, or hair-pulling. It is often associated with feelings of helplessness, frustration, or worry about a particular situation or outcome.
The use of the phrase "wrung hands" is also often figurative, describing someone's emotional state rather than their physical actions. It can describe a person who is deeply troubled, excessively anxious, or overwhelmed by a situation. This emotional distress may be caused by personal matters, uncertainty, or external events.
The phrase "wrung hands" does not have an etymology of its own, as it is a combination of two words with separate origins.
1. Wrung: The word "wrung" comes from the past participle of the verb "wring". The Old English form of this verb was "wringan", which meant "to twist" or "to squeeze". It is related to the Old Norse word "hringr", which also meant "to twist". Over time, "wring" evolved to mean specifically "to twist or compress (something) with force", often used in the context of wringing out water from clothes or other objects.
2. Hands: The word "hands" originates from the Old English word "hand", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "handuz".