手をつける

てをつける

to set one's hand to; to start work on; to embezzle; to use (money obtained in illegal fashion)

Also written 手を付ける、手を着ける

Meaning

expv1
to set one's hand to; to start work on
expv1
to embezzle; to use (money obtained in illegal fashion)
expv1
to have sexual relations; to have an affair

Example sentences

新しい事業に手をつけるときはよく気をつけなさい。

Take great care when you put your hand to a new business.
今こそ思い切った改革に手を付けるべき好機である。

The time is ripe for a drastic reform.