手てを下くだす

expression, godan verb (-su)

do oneself; take action personally

Implies that the subject carries out an action directly, often with a sense of responsibility or finality. Can be used when someone decides to handle something themselves rather than delegating.

• 社しゃ長ちょう自みずから手てを下くだして問もん題だいを解かい決けつした。

  The company president personally took action and resolved the problem.

• 彼かれはついに自じ分ぶんで手てを下くだす決けっ心しんをした。

  He finally made up his mind to do it himself.

expression, godan verb (-su)

start work; commence; set about

Often used when beginning a task or project, similar to 手をつける. The cross-reference to 手をつける suggests a close relationship, but 手を下す can carry a nuance of more deliberate initiation.

See also: 手をつける

• 新あたらしいプロジェクトに手てを下くだす前まえに、しっかり計けい画かくを立たてよう。

  Let's make a solid plan before we start work on the new project.