at hand
Idioms-
Also, . Within easy reach, nearby, as in I like to keep my tools close at hand . [1300s]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ben Earl and Freeman were both close to claiming clever kicks ahead with the tryline close at hand, with Jack van Poortvliet bringing some of the zip that was sorely absent in Johannesburg.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
In his paintings Porter synthesized feelings and understanding into a luminous whole, his subjects the people, places and things that were closest at hand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
“Just focus on what’s the task at hand, and I try to have a lot of fun out there.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026
So they reached for a symbol close at hand: that of Native people.
From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2026
Bobby played this form of chess at Nigro’s insistence and wasn’t particularly good at it, but it did quicken his appraisal of the position at hand and forced him to trust his instincts.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
