fist

fist
fist /fɪst/ noun [countable]1. the hand when it is tightly closed, so that the fingers are curled in towards the palm. People close their hand in a fist when they are angry or are going to hit someone:
    She held the money tightly in her fist.
    Malcolm clenched his fist (=held his fist very tightly closed) angrily.
    Dooley stood up and shook his fist in her face.
    Varney slammed his fist down onto the table so hard the dishes jumped. ⇨ ham-fisted, tight-fisted, ⇨ hand over fist at hand¹(35)
2. make a good/bad fist of something British English informal to make a successful or unsuccessful attempt to do something