in hand

in hand

1. In one's physical possession. He said he will make the delivery when he has the cash in hand. I've got all of those things in hand, so we don't have to go to the store.
2. Under control. You need to get this situation in hand before it escalates.
3. Currently being discussed or dealt with; under consideration. Please stick to the matter in hand—we really don't have time to go off on tangents.
See also: hand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*in hand

in one's possession or control. (*Typically: be ~; have something ~.) It's in hand. I have it right here. The papers are in hand. Have no fear.
See also: hand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in hand

1. Accessible at the present time, as in The company has very little cash in hand. [Late 1300s]
2. Under one's control or authority, as in The police had the situation well in hand. [Early 1600s]
3. In process, being settled, as in He was willing to give full attention to the matter in hand. [Late 1300s] Also see in one's hands.
See also: hand
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

in ˈhand


1 (of a task, matter, etc.) now being dealt with, thought about, discussed, etc: Let’s stop talking about other subjects and get back to the matter in hand.
2 still to be used, played, spent, etc.; remaining: The two teams have an equal number of points, but Liverpool still have a game in hand. The club still has money in hand for the improvements.
See also: hand
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

in hand

1. In one's possession: arrived with the contract in hand.
2. Under control: kept the tense situation in hand.
3. Under consideration: gave her attention to the matter in hand.
4. In preparation or process: With the work finally in hand, we began to see progress.
5. Sports Remaining to be played by one team but not by another: Their team is ahead in the standings, but our team has two games in hand.
See also: hand
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • have (something) in hand
  • have in hand
  • on hand
  • get a hand on (something)
  • fill (one's) hand
  • cash in hand
  • give (someone) the back of (one's) hand
  • have (something) well in hand
  • get out of hand
  • go hand in hand