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Crank the Handle

What Does "Crank the Handle" Mean?

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"Crank the handle" is an English idiom. It means "to do a repetitive task or to operate something manually."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "crank the handle" used in a sentence:
  • Back in the day, we had to crank the handle to get the car started.
  • I remember when we had to crank the handle to get water from the well.
  • The old machine requires someone to constantly crank the handle.
meaning for crank the handle

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Crank the Handle" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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