One-handed

Describing an action, task, or skill that is performed, or can only be performed, by using a single hand. It often implies a degree of difficulty, ingenuity, or specialization. It can refer to physical limitations, such as someone with an injured arm, or the deliberate choice to use only one hand for efficiency or style. In a figurative sense, it can describe an undertaking that is simple, easy, or unfair, suggesting an uneven playing field or a situation where one side has a clear advantage.

One-handed meaning with examples

• After breaking his arm, the athlete had to adapt his training, learning to box one-handed. This required significant adjustments to his technique and increased focus on footwork to compensate for the lack of balance provided by a second arm. Despite the challenge, his determination to be one-handed made him even more resourceful when competing and made him a better all-around boxer.
• She skillfully navigated the crowded marketplace, expertly juggling her shopping bags and chatting on her phone, one-handed. The ability to multi-task one-handed came from years of practice in stressful, fast-paced situations. Locals watched in admiration. Her practiced ease highlighted the contrast between the organized chaos of the market and her self-assured command over the situation.
• The circus performer amazed the audience with his spectacular act, expertly spinning plates on a stick, balancing them one-handed, high above the ground. It was a display of incredible skill and control. His one-handed balance of the plates, as well as his grace in that moment, were an obvious reflection of years of dedication and perfection in his craft.
• The company's business model gave them an unfair advantage; it was, in essence, a one-handed game against their competitors. This practice limited opportunities for others and suppressed innovation, creating an environment of unbalanced competition. Customers may have also suffered from lack of choice, or other benefits.