手てを合あわせる

expression, ichidan verb

put one's palms together; pray; clasp hands

Used when pressing the palms together in prayer, before a meal, or when asking for something. Also used literally for placing hands together.

• 神じん社じゃで手てを合あわせて願ねがい事ごとをした。

  I put my hands together at the shrine and made a wish.

• 食しょく事じの前まえに手てを合あわせて「いただきます」と言いう。

  Before meals, we put our hands together and say 'itadakimasu'.

expression, ichidan verb

compete against; play against; face off

Idiomatic use meaning to compete or play against someone, often in sports or games. The image is of two opponents facing each other with hands ready.

• 決けっ勝しょうで強きょう豪ごうチームと手てを合あわせることになった。

  We ended up facing a strong team in the finals.

• 彼かれとは何なん度どもテニスで手てを合あわせている。

  I've played against him many times in tennis.