手をつける

てをつける

to set one's hand to

Also a form of

Meanings

also 手を付ける · 手を着ける

  1. expression, ichidan verb to set one's hand to; to start work on
  2. to embezzle; to use (money obtained in illegal fashion)
  3. to have sexual relations; to have an affair

Its kanji

In sentences

彼かれは会社かいしゃの金かねに手てをつけた。 He pocketed the company's money. #109057

州知事しゅうちじは黒くろい金かねに手てをつけました。 The governor took the money out of a slush fund. #148233