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

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

Guardiola's right-hand man Manel Estiarte, fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura and long-serving goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor were all recognised for their contributions too, with the trio also set to depart.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Dr. Ralph Abraham, his right-hand man at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently shrugged off rising measles cases, saying that losing our elimination status was simply the “cost of doing business.”

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Haugstatter, Delpique’s right-hand man, handles scheduling and fills in for him on Fridays and Saturdays—Delpique’s days off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

Reinhold Barth, Dasch's relative and Kappe's right-hand man, had worked for the Long Island Rail Road in America, and he gave them a tour of a railroad plant and yards.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple