An electric power tool has a tool receptacle and a tool housing in which a drive motor for driving the tool receptacle is arranged. The drive motor is switchable on and off via an electric switch. An operating part for indirectly actuating the switch is arranged on the tool housing and extends approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool housing. The operating part is lever-like and is pivotably arranged on the tool housing. An actuating member of the switch is displaceable approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis by an actuating force that acts on the operating part approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The drive motor is switched on by the actuating force acting on the operating part against a restoring force of the switch, and the drive motor is switched off automatically, via the restoring force, when the operating part is released by a user.