手てをつける

expression, ichidan verb

start work on; set one's hand to

Used when beginning a task, project, or piece of work, often implying that it has been left untouched until now.

• 彼かれはまだ宿しゅく題だいに手てをつけていない。

  He hasn't started his homework yet.

• この問もん題だいに手てをつける前まえに、まず資し料りょうを集あつめよう。

  Before we start working on this problem, let's gather the materials first.

expression, ichidan verb

embezzle; use illegally obtained money

Refers to secretly taking or using money that belongs to someone else, especially in a professional or organizational context.

• 彼かれは会かい社しゃの金かねに手てをつけてクビになった。

  He was fired for embezzling company funds.

expression, ichidan verb

have sexual relations; have an affair

Euphemistic expression for engaging in sexual activity, often implying an illicit or extramarital relationship.

• 彼かれは友とも達だちの彼かの女じょに手てをつけたらしい。

  Apparently he had an affair with his friend's girlfriend.