turn (one's) hand to (something)

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turn (one's) hand to (something)

To undertake or apply oneself to (doing) something; to attempt or be able to do something. I'd like to turn my hand to learning the saxophone in my spare time. With Sarah's intelligence, she could probably turn her hand to anything after high school.

turn one's hand to something

to begin to or to be able to do something. I would like to turn my hand to Chinese cooking. He gave up accounting and turned his hand to writing poetry.

turn one's hand to

Also, put one's hand to. Apply oneself to, begin working at, as in Next she turned her hand to starting her dissertation, or He was so lazy he wouldn't put his hand to anything. [c. 1700]

turn your hand to something

COMMON If you turn your hand to something, you start doing it and do it well, even though you may not be trained to do it. Judy is one of those women who can turn her hand to most things. Although he's first and foremost an actor, he has recently turned his hand to writing a short film.

turn your hand to something

undertake an activity different from your usual occupation.

1994 Barbara Anderson All the Nice Girls Win had always told him he was an able man, a fixer, one who could turn his hand to anything.

turn your ˈhand to something

start doing something or be able to do something, especially when you do it well: Jim can turn his hand to most jobs around the house.