a steady hand on the tiller

steady hand on the tiller

Full control over a situation. I felt comfortable knowing that even during this difficult time, he had a steady hand on the tiller.
See also: hand, on, steady, tiller
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a steady hand on the tiller

BRITISH
If you have a steady hand on the tiller, you are keeping control of a situation in a calm and reliable way. `If ever there was an urgent need for a steady hand on the tiller, it is now,' said one European diplomat. Note: Adjectives such as firm can be used instead of steady. He was convinced that the job of those in power was to keep a firm hand on the tiller guiding the course of national development. Note: In a boat, the tiller is the handle with which you steer.
See also: hand, on, steady, tiller
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • firm hand on the tiller
  • have (something) well in hand
  • get out of hand
  • have (something) in hand
  • have in hand
  • in hand
  • full hand
  • be in hand
  • get a hand on (something)
  • a hand in
References in periodicals archive
With a steady hand on the tiller, John Sergeant once again navigates Britain's most scenic waterways.
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All you can do is to keep a steady hand on the tiller and hope for better weather." And steady Tod stays, learning to trust herself and her emerging talents.
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e Toon's transfer chief likes to keep a steady hand on the tiller at United and knows that Mike Ashley doesn't want to see Newcastle back in the red.
United set to miss out on Lasogga; Toon may miss out
She is a steady hand on the tiller, charting a clear course.
New Fed official a steady hand on the tiller
He's a steady hand on the tiller in the centre of the park - and he's played for Scotland as well so he's got the confidence of having played international football.
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A steady hand on the tiller - exactly what Darlo need Record New manager
Who's the boss?
Without a steady hand on the tiller, an experienced and firm hand, this club would not be in the exciting situation in which it now finds itself.
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He's a business builder and because we can see the development of Globalpoint over the year, we wanted someone with a steady hand on the tiller."
Growing business tracks down a new chairman
In the 57 years since then - the last 28 as chairman - he has retained a steady hand on the tiller of the club in every league from the Liverpool County Combination through to the UniBond Premier Division and now the FA Trophy final at VillaPark.
Linnets legend's labour of love; Parr picks Trophy as 57-year highlight
We have a steady hand on the tiller meantime in David Johnston."
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