right-hand man

American  

noun

1. an indispensable or invaluable assistant; right hand.

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right-hand man Idioms  

1. Also, right-hand woman. A trusted helper, as in Give it to Jill, she's my right-hand man. Based on the idea that in most people the right hand is the stronger of the two, this idiom today usually disregards gender, as in the example. However, in the the 17th and 18th centuries it also meant a soldier in a post of command on the right side of a cavalry unit, and then always denoted a man. [c. 1800]

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Etymology

Origin of right-hand man

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right-hand man

Around the same time, Kinahan’s right-hand man, Sean McGovern, was arrested in Dubai.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

Assistant coach Alberto Encinas specialises in technical development, while Sebastian 'Sebas' Parrilla is Alonso's right-hand man and the most experienced member of the coaching staff.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Jim Kensil, Pete’s right-hand man, summoned my mailroom colleague Peter Hadhazy and me to his office that afternoon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026

Prevented from running in the last presidential election due to a defamation conviction, Sonko had designated his right-hand man, Faye, to replace him in the race.

From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026

The factionless only make trials private when they feel the verdict is obvious, and Caleb was Jeanine’s right-hand man before she was killed.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth