手ての内うち

noun

palm of one's hand

Literal meaning: the inside surface of the hand. Often used in physical descriptions.

• 彼かれは手ての内うちに小ちいさな石いしを握にぎっていた。

  He held a small stone in the palm of his hand.

noun

skill; control; hidden intentions

Figurative uses: one's ability or technique (sense 2); having something under one's control or in one's grasp (sense 3); concealed plans or cards (sense 4). Common in phrases like 手の内を見せる (reveal one's hand) or 手の内にある (be within one's control).

• 彼かれはなかなか手ての内うちを見みせない。

  He doesn't easily reveal his true intentions.

• 試し合あいでは相あい手ての手ての内うちを読よむことが大たい切せつだ。

  In a match, it's important to read your opponent's strategy.

• 会かい社しゃは彼かれの手ての内うちにある。

  The company is under his control.

noun

one's hand (in card games or mahjong)

Domain-specific use in mahjong and card games: the tiles or cards a player holds. Also used metaphorically in game contexts.

• 麻まあ雀じゃんでいい手ての内うちができた。

  I got a good hand in mahjong.