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right-hand man

noun

an indispensable or invaluable assistant; right hand.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of right-hand man¹

First recorded in 1655–65

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Idioms and Phrases

Also, right-hand woman. A trusted helper, as in Give it to Jill, she's my right-hand man. Based on the idea that in most people the right hand is the stronger of the two, this idiom today usually disregards gender, as in the example. However, in the the 17th and 18th centuries it also meant a soldier in a post of command on the right side of a cavalry unit, and then always denoted a man. [c. 1800]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Musk was the largest donor for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and had been considered the president's right-hand man.

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Even though he wasn’t a musician, he was such an important person in the studio as a right-hand man.

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In 1995, Kilmer delivered a memorable and chilling performance in Michael Mann's Heat, as the right-hand man of a criminal played by Robert De Niro.

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In the next few days, starting with the PM's right-hand man Pat McFadden in the studio tomorrow, you will see the government try to kick up the pace of whats happening at home.

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By the time of Trump's inauguration, Musk was his right-hand man, seated just behind the president's left shoulder on the dais - an unmistakable symbol of his influence.

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right-hander right-hand rule

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