In our language we use an idiom If we want to request someone for doing something. And literal translation of that idiom into English would be "Put your hands together before someone"(put hands together to make a request), but in English it means Clapping for someone. Is there any idiom which means "Request someone"?
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2Please elaborate on what "request someone" means. Request their presence? Request their services?– DavoAug 29, 2017 at 16:40
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1As you already know, [You] put your hands together [for someone] is an idiomatic usage meaning applaud (Anglophones don't usually use this expression in allusion to prayer, which is presumably how it works in your language). For a "body-based" metaphor evocative of requests/pleading, consider get down on one's knees (an extreme "supplication" posture).– FumbleFingersAug 29, 2017 at 17:03
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Does the phrase "put your hands together before someone" mean "to ask", "to beseech", "to implore"? Would you put your hands together before someone to request that they hand you a pencil, or must the request be more serious and important?– TimRAug 29, 2017 at 17:21
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2We do have an idiom to go (to someone) on bended knee. It means to act as a supplicant.– TimRAug 29, 2017 at 17:23
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I think OP believes "put your hands together for [someone]" is used as an encouragement (applause indicating an inducement to make that person appear).– RobustoAug 29, 2017 at 18:33
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1 Answer
You can go cap in hand to someone, if you're humbly asking them for something.
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If you're going to vote an answer down, you owe it to the person who answered to at least let them know why, so they can learn.– dwilliApr 2, 2019 at 1:54