have (someone/something) on (your) hands

to be responsible for someone or something.

If the president doesn't take an interest in the economy, he could well have an economic disaster on his hands.

The coach was a little surprised to have this tall, talented athlete on her hands.

Related vocabulary: have blood on your hands

• cut through like a hot knife through butter
• cut through like a knife through butter
• cut through something
• cut through something like a hot knife through butter
• cut through something like a knife through butter
• cut to the chase
• cut to the quick
• cut two ways
• cut up rough
• cut your coat according to cloth
• cut your coat according to your cloth
• cut your losses
• cut your own throat
• cut your teeth
• cut your teeth in
• cut your teeth in something
• damned if do and damned if don't
• damned if do and damned if you don't
• damned if you do and damned if don't
• damned if you do and damned if you don't
• damn it
• damn someone with faint praise
• damn something with faint praise
• damn with faint praise
• damp squib