in hand
Idioms-
Accessible at the present time, as in The company has very little cash in hand . [Late 1300s]
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Under one's control or authority, as in The police had the situation well in hand . [Early 1600s]
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In process, being settled, as in He was willing to give full attention to the matter in hand . [Late 1300s] Also see in one's hands .
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.
If there's one thing the transatlantic cousins of Cornwall and Hidalgo will have in common this summer, it's that they'll be enjoying the World Cup with a pasty - or paste - in hand.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
Even after his release, his combat-gear-clad image, zip ties in hand, became a visual he couldn’t outrun.
From Slate • May 28, 2026
Paddle in hand, he now collects the rubbish that accumulates in the reeds along the swampy banks to sell to recycling companies.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
“It kind of goes hand in hand with the type of work I do, because my stuff is really festive, celebrating culture. And just as an L.A.-based artist, I think the collaboration made sense.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
“She’s having fun, Freddy. Relax,” Bridget said, curling iron in hand, nearly frying her dirty-blond hair, elbow out like a salute.
From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen
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.
