in hand

Held in a person’s hand or hands.

• She stood with a pen in hand.
• He walked to the door, keys in hand.
• With coffee in hand, we watched the sunrise together.

Common phrases: pen in hand, glass in hand, hat in hand

Managed successfully, so that someone can deal with any problems.

• The situation is in hand.
• She soon got the unruly class in hand.
• Do you have all the arrangements in hand?

How to use it: have something in hand (The team has the situation in hand.); get something in hand (We must get these problems in hand.)

Similar words: under control

Opposites: out of control

Common phrases: get in hand, keep in hand, situation in hand

Available for you to use because you already have it.

• We have the money in hand.
• With the tickets in hand, we could finally plan our trip.
• Do you have enough cash in hand to pay the workers?

Similar words: available, on hand

Opposites: unavailable

Common phrases: cash in hand, money in hand, funds in hand

Currently being discussed, considered, or worked on.

• Focus on the task in hand.
• Her comments were relevant to the matter in hand.
• We need more information about the problem in hand.

Similar words: at hand, under consideration

Common phrases: matter in hand, task in hand, job in hand

Games still need to be played, giving a team more chances to win points.

• Our team has two games in hand.
• They had a match in hand over their closest rivals.
• Can they reach the top with three games in hand?

Common phrases: games in hand, matches in hand

In pool or similar games, a ball can be placed on the table by the player before their shot.

• The cue ball is in hand.
• After the foul, she had the cue ball in hand.
• With the cue ball in hand, he chose an easy position for his next shot.

Common phrases: ball in hand, cue ball in hand