The invention relates to a portable handheld work apparatus having an electric drive motor mounted in a housing. A switch unit switches a supply voltage onto the drive motor. The switch unit is actuated by a switching extension of a switching lever journalled in a handle of the work apparatus. The switching lever has an actuating portion which extends outwardly from the handle housing. An elastic resilient tongue is arranged on the switching lever in order to ensure a trouble-free opening of the electric contacts of the switch unit and to ensure that an adequate contact spacing in the at-rest position is maintained. The tongue lies against an abutment fixed in the housing and the switching lever is held under a spring force against an at-rest stop in the handle housing.