in hand
1
(of a situation) completely under one's control
The idiom "in hand" originated from Old English and has its roots in the literal sense of physically holding or grasping something in one's hand. The word "hand" has been used in various languages throughout history to signify control, power, or possession. It is frequently used in professional settings, such as business, project management, or organizational contexts, to indicate that a task or project is under control and progressing well.
- She has the project in hand and is confidently leading the team.
- They have the situation in hand and are implementing the necessary measures.
- After months of preparation, they had the event in hand and it went smoothly.
- She had the presentation in hand and delivered it flawlessly.
- By tomorrow, he will have the report in hand and ready for submission.
Antonyms:
2
used to refer to something one is dealing with
The idiom "in hand" originated from the literal sense of holding or having something within one's grasp, indicating that one is actively dealing with or managing a particular matter or task. It is used to signify the current state of being in control or actively engaged in handling a situation, object, or responsibility.
- Work is in hand on identifying information needs.
- Don't worry, I have the preparations for the party well in hand - everything will be taken care of.
- I know work has been piling up while I've been away, but the project you're so concerned about is in hand.
- The project is in hand, and we are making good progress towards meeting the deadline.
- The lawyer assured the client that the legal case was in hand and that they were working diligently to resolve it.
3
used to refer to something that is almost ready and can be put to use when needed
The idiom "in hand" originated from the literal meaning of having something physically held or grasped in one's hand. Over time, it has evolved to convey the idea of having something readily available or prepared for use when needed. It implies that the item or task is nearly complete or fully organized, and can be readily employed or utilized without delay.
- The reports are all in hand and ready for the meeting tomorrow.
- With the ingredients in hand, I can start preparing dinner right away.
- The project is nearing its completion, and we have all the necessary resources in hand to wrap it up.
- The presentation slides are in hand, and the speaker is ready to deliver the talk.
- We have the necessary permits in hand, so construction can begin as scheduled.
4
used to refer to the cards, pieces, etc. that a player holds and has not yet played
The idiom "in hand" originated from the world of card games, specifically referring to the cards or pieces that a player holds and has not yet played. It signifies the collection of resources or options available to a player, which they can strategically utilize to their advantage during the course of the game.
- I had a few high value cards in hand but wasn't confident they'd beat whatever Sam was holding privately.
- After several rounds, Ellie still hadn't drawn any useful resources from the deck, so she had to rely solely on what pieces remained in her hand to mount an defense.