mob-handedadj.adv.
/ˌmɒbˈhandᵻd/, U.S. /ˌmɑbˈhændəd/ British colloquial.
A. adj.
That forms a large body; present in considerable numbers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > [adjective] > assembling in crowds > assembled in crowds
hosted1807
mob-handed1934
swarmed1951
1934 P. Allingham Cheapjack xix. 254 His companions had been ‘mob-handed’, that is to say, working in a big group.
1955 B. Hill Boss of Britain's Underworld vi. 98 I don't know any cozzer [= policeman] who would have tackled us, mob-handed as we were.
1966 A. Prior Operators vi. 64 Mo and his brother had returned home penniless to find the police mob-handed.
1977 Zigzag Aug. 14/1 The other night a mob-handed crew came along.
1999 Leicester Mercury (Nexis) 5 Mar. 7 Tomorrow you can see the mob-handed jazz sound of the Peace Artistes live and free in Humberstone Gate.
B. adv.
In considerable numbers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > [adverb] > in crowds or companies
flock-mealc893
flockingly14..
flockly1552
throngingly1598
troopmeal1600
throngly1653
troopwise1820
a-swarm1830
flock-wise1837
shoal-wise1883
mob-handed1970
1970 Sunday Tel. 9 Aug. 27/7 The evergreen X class [of yachts] turned out mob-handed at 60 strong.
1992 Daily Tel. 28 Nov. (Weekend Suppl.) p. xi/7 Rabbits..regularly romp along it mob-handed.
2000 Aberdeen Express (Nexis) 22 May 17 To celebrate National Bike Week, a group of cyclists are to go mob handed from Milltimber to Cullerlie Farm Park.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.adv.1934