have a hand in
Idioms-
Also, take a hand in . Participate, be involved, as in I'd like to have a hand in planning the publicity . [Late 1500s]
-
. Be actively engaged or remain in practice doing something. For example, He works as stage manager, director, understudy—he has a hand in every aspect , or Write a few pages every day, just to keep your hand in . [Mid-1700s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"To be the nerd behind the scenes, to help the heroes on this Earth saving us from the bad things happening, it's really fulfilling to be able to have a hand in that," Campbell said.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
The 46-year-old did have a hand in a recent home-run investment in EchoStar, the satellite-and-wireless company chaired by Charlie Ergen, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025
Even so, placing a supposedly superior world within Peacemaker’s reach, one he didn’t have a hand in improving, can’t end well.
From Salon • Aug. 21, 2025
In the coming months, several different judges, parole commissioners and even Gov. Gavin Newsom could still have a hand in the brothers’ fate.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025
“Oh, yes, I have a hand in everything. Scene setting, how the actors move, title cards, camera effects. I envision the whole movie in my head and get it all down in the continuity script.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
