close to hand

close to hand

1. Within reach. Keep the phone close to hand while you wait for my call. Ah, now this is a vacation—lounging on the beach with a cold drink close to hand.
2. Immediately available. You'll want to keep a reserve of cash close to hand for any unforeseen expenses you might occur while setting up the business. As your legal counsel, we will remain close to hand for the duration of the trial.
3. Very close (to arriving or occurring). Politicians in Brussels have hinted that an agreement may be close to hand. With just two minutes remaining, it looks like the team's first championship in 70 years is finally close to hand.
See also: close, hand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • close at hand
  • too close to call
  • be close to the mark
  • be close to/near the mark
  • come to a close
  • too close for comfort
  • close to (one's) heart
  • close to your heart
  • close as two coats of paint
  • (as) close as two coats of paint
References in periodicals archive
Aapartment Aopen to large open plan living / dining area Abuilt-in storage including master with en suite shower room AAAAAAAamenities close to hand Aincluding Westlink and M2 Apartment 3, 14 College Gardens, Belfast On with Ulster Property Sales for guide price of PS175,000 www.ulsterpropertysales.co.uk Contact 028 9066 1929 This apartment offers plenty of period kerb .occupies the ground floor within a charming Victorian residence.
It is heart wrenching at times, we recommend keeping a box of tissues close to hand.
"With laptops, tablets and smart phones often so close to hand whilst we sit in front of the TV, it's hardly surprising that watching larger than life characters having fun in the sun inspired many to check prices and availability."
I like to take photos of everything and everyone, so I always have a camera close to hand. It's a great feeling when you take pictures of your friends and they're happy with the outcome.
Your camera gear is best carried and protected in a specially designed backpack or bag, but photo vests are great for keeping a few accessories close to hand. The new Farley Vest from Vaude (75 [pounds sterling]) is a comfortable, lightweight waist vest with a number of slim-line pockets that are suited for carrying memory cards, filters, batteries, remote leads and lens cleaners.
VOLT STICK--the original and still the best non-contact voltage tester range--has now launched the unique VSPU-1 Proving Unit--designed to provide even greater safety and peace of mind for electrical, gas and utilities engineers--and everyone else wise enough to keep a Volt Stick tester close to hand. Initially developed to meet the most stringent Health & Safety policies and requirements of the UK's major utilities providers and public sector engineers, Sagab's new VSPU-1 Proving Unit is specifically designed to provide confident functionality testing of the Volt Stick 230v product range (Volt Stick 230Y 230B, SOUND and LV50 models).
They take up little space as they are wall-mounted, in fact hung over a bath they give you lovely warm fluffy towels close to hand. They, of course, heat the room at the same time, but ensure that you check for sizes and heat output as they vary massively.
Newton Abbot offers excellent viewing and good access for all with the paddock, bars and restaurants all being close to hand.
IF IRAQ could have deployed weapons of mass destruction in 45minutes, they must have been close to hand. Hans Blix's inspection team would have had little trouble in finding them.
The development is expected to attract local people seeking an appealing rural location with village facilities close to hand.
Bemused rather than irreverent, these pieces appear to grapple with the best way to "mark" losses: to record deaths and shape memories of the departed into items of daily use, preferably something kept as close to hand as a much-used bookmark.
Transform your dressing table or bathroom by keeping tissues boxed and protected so they're close to hand when you need themand a lovely accessory into the bargain Transform your dressing table or bathroom by keeping tissues boxed and protected so they're close to hand when you need themand a lovely accessory into the bargain CASA TISSUE BOX COVER PS10.80 from Stylish Life, www.stylishlife.co.uk DESIGNED by Umbra, this smart moulded tissue box cover is shaped like a house with the tissues handily dispensed from a chimney.
Having healthy alternatives, such as carrot sticks or rice cakes, close to hand will help you ward off temptation from the office "feeders".
Co-operative Food's top tips for a healthier workplace include swapping crisps and biscuits for fresh fruit, keeping healthy snacks close to hand and taking a walk at lunchtime.
If they are, it only takes a few seconds to sneak in and steal something close to hand.