Riddles are a fantastic way to challenge your brain and think outside the box. Here’s a tricky one for you:
“What can you hold in your left hand but not in your right?”
Sounds simple, right? But there’s a clever twist. Take a moment to think it through before scrolling down for the answer. Let’s see if you can crack it!
Why This Riddle Confuses So Many People

At first glance, most people overthink this puzzle. The trick lies in understanding the wordplay instead of taking it too literally. Let’s explore why so many struggle with this riddle.
Overanalyzing the Question
When faced with this riddle, many immediately think of objects—things they can physically hold. You might consider small objects, specific tools, or even abstract concepts, but that’s not the trick here.
Falling for the Wordplay Trap
Riddles often rely on how words are phrased rather than their literal meaning. The key here is focusing on what the question is actually asking rather than assuming it refers to an item.
Breaking Down the Answer – The Moment of Clarity
Now, let’s go step by step and analyze the structure of the riddle.
The Key Clue: “In Your Left Hand”
This part of the question might make you think about objects you can physically hold. But here’s where the misdirection happens—it’s not about an item, but about what is physically possible.
The Trick: “And Not in Your Right”
Here’s where the puzzle gets interesting. The answer is something you can hold in your left hand but not in your right. But why? Because…
The answer is your right hand.
Think about it. You can hold your right hand using your left hand, but you cannot hold your right hand with your right hand. It’s a fun little brain teaser that plays on the way we interpret language.

The Beauty of Simple Yet Tricky Riddles
This kind of riddle is a perfect example of how a simple question can trick our brains into thinking in the wrong direction.
Why Do We Overcomplicate Answers?
- We assume complexity – Sometimes, our brains tend to search for deep, complex meanings when the answer is actually quite simple.
- We focus on the wrong details – Instead of considering what’s impossible, we try to make sense of the question in a traditional way.
- We ignore common sense – The riddle is designed to make you overthink, but when you break it down logically, it makes perfect sense.
Other Fun Riddles to Challenge Your Mind

If you enjoyed this one, here are a few more riddles to test your thinking skills.
- What has hands but can’t clap? (A clock)
- The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I? (Footsteps)
- What gets wetter the more it dries? (A towel)
Riddles like these are not just fun—they help improve problem-solving skills, boost creativity, and sharpen critical thinking.
Final Thoughts – Did You Solve It?
Now that you know the answer, did you figure it out on your own? Or did the wordplay trick you? Either way, these kinds of riddles are a great way to exercise your brain and have fun at the same time.
If you enjoyed this puzzle, be sure to challenge your friends and family to see if they can solve it. And if you’re ready for more brain teasers, keep exploring and testing your logic skills!