Si a mano viene

[luis magistrado]

Hello

Could somebody please explain to me the origin of the expression "si a mano viene"? I found this in the novel Noli Me Tangere and in the english version of the novel it is translated as " if occasion should arise".

Thank you

[JPablo]

DRAE gives,
(under "mano")
si a ~ viene. 1. expr. Si llega el caso, por ventura, tal vez.


So the English translation seems ad hoc, i.e., "if occasion should arise"... literally, if it "comes to hand"...



Hope that helps.

[chileno]

If it comes handy....

[luis magistrado]

Thank you.