A portable handheld work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw (1) includes a housing (2) wherein an internal combustion engine (10) and a carburetor (11) are mounted. A throttle lever (6) is provided which is pivotally journalled on a handle (3). The handle (3) is connected to the housing (2) via at least one antivibration element (33). A vibration gap (9) is configured between the handle (3) and the housing (2). A transmitting unit (13) is provided for transmitting the pivot movement of the throttle lever (6) to the carburetor (11). The transmitting unit includes a rigid transmitting element (17, 37) which bridges the vibration gap (9). A simple configuration and a substantial decoupling of the relative movement between the housing (2) and the handle (3) from the actuating movement of the carburetor is achieved in that the transmitting element (17, 37) is rotatably journalled and the pivot movement of the throttle lever (6) is transmitted as a rotation about a rotational axis (22) lying transverse to the vibration gap (9).