reject out of hand

/rɪˈdʒɛkt aʊt əv hænd/

to dismiss something immediately without consideration

The committee rejected the proposal out of hand.

They dismissed the proposal immediately without discussing it.

◆ What It Really Means

To dismiss something immediately and decisively without any consideration.

¶ Literal Meaning

To physically reject something while holding it in one's hand.

Literal Breakdown

rejectto refuse or dismiss+out of handout of one's hand or control

◇ Mental Image

The mental image is of someone quickly pushing away or refusing something that is being offered or presented to them.

◈ When to Use

A manager rejects a new project proposal out of hand because it doesn't align with the company's goals.

◉ Cultural Note

This phrase is commonly used in English-speaking professional and formal settings to indicate a swift and decisive rejection.

informal

To dismiss or refuse something immediately without any consideration or discussion.

The editor rejected the manuscript out of hand because it didn't meet the journal's standards.

The editor dismissed the manuscript immediately because it didn't meet the journal's standards.

Don't reject my idea out of hand; at least hear me out.

Don't dismiss my idea immediately; at least listen to what I have to say.

This phrase is often used in formal or professional settings to indicate a swift and decisive rejection.

Synonyms

to accept something as it appears without further investigation

to reject or criticize something harshly

Use 'reject out of hand' when you want to emphasize that something was dismissed immediately and without consideration.

The phrase combines 'reject' (to refuse) and 'out of hand' (immediately or without delay), emphasizing a swift and decisive refusal.

This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe a quick and final rejection of an idea, proposal, or request.

reject

to refuse or dismiss

root

out of hand

immediately or without delay

phrase

English Dictionary