Yvonne Gallagher Apr 14, 2017:

@ Tony
The "applaud" meaning usually has the expression "give a BIG hand to" in my experience but of course is possible. Anyway, this would probably be US English if we go by the location though we really need the full context

Tony M Apr 14, 2017:

@ Asker And also, WHO SAYS IT?

Is it the 2 lifeguards who are walking in the street? Is this a fictional or non-fiction film? Who says these words? Are they seen in the shot, or off? Is it the narrator? Are there people in the street? Please describe the scene in a lot more detail so we can understand what is going on.

I agree with Polyglot's suggestion that it could indeed be 'hand', in the sense of applaud — but not with Gallagy's suggestion of giving a hand in the sense of helping, which sounds much less plausible to me — though always, in the absence of co ntext.

Yvonne Gallagher Apr 14, 2017:

with polyglot. I think hand is more likely. Surfers could easily help lifeguards, and vice versa

give them a HAND=help them out.

I really think you need to clarify what is actually said.

Isabelle Cluzel Apr 14, 2017:

pour des sauveteurs, c'est assez logique...

Isabelle Cluzel Apr 14, 2017:

idée qu'il faut leur être reconnaissant, leur rendre hommage

Tony M Apr 14, 2017:

@ Asker Could be in some way related to the expression "take off my hat to..."?

polyglot45 Apr 14, 2017:

you are sure it is HAT ? and not "hand", for example