at hand

Idioms  

1. Also, . Within easy reach, nearby, as in I like to keep my tools close at hand . [1300s]

2. Also, on hand . Nearby in time, soon, as in The day of judgment is at hand , or A change of administration is on hand . Also see on hand .

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at hand

Instead, he advises, “the task at hand is to build an ecosystem” in which cheap and good-enough drones, among other tools, can be put to effective use.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

I am certainly glad I had a napkin at hand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

But an even bigger fight is at hand: whether these halts on buildouts will eventually lead to permanent bans, or whether elected officials are just kicking the clankers down the road.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

"I’ve been working towards AGI my whole life and now, like many of you, I feel it is close at hand," Hassabis wrote in Wednesday's blog post.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

There were no relatives at hand; and as Arthur had to be back the next day to attend at his father’s funeral, we were unable to notify any one who should have been bidden.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker