safe pair of hands

safe pair of hands

A trustworthy and competent person. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. That struggling company really needs a leader who is a safe pair of hands and can make some positive changes.
See also: hand, of, pair, safe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a safe pair of hands

mainly BRITISH
If someone is a safe pair of hands, they are good at their job and can be relied on not to make any serious mistakes. He was viewed as a reliable, solid politician — a safe pair of hands. Compare with in safe hands.
See also: hand, of, pair, safe
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • a safe pair of hands
  • good oil
  • the good oil
  • be in safe hands
  • in safe hands
  • up on (one's) ear
  • chip
  • chips
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
References in periodicals archive
Mark Hudson, the current first-team coach, is favourite for the role but Examiner Sport understands the club sees him as a trustworthy safe pair of hands for the interim rather than a potential long-term successor.
The source said: "Sajid has been a safe pair of hands and behaved properly during the contest.
As to whether Johnson attains the highest office in the land, that's still debatable as the Tory faithful might well surmise that he's not exactly the safe pair of hands after all.
Would the rest of the world prefer the feel-good, risk-taking Johnson or the safe pair of hands? So many electorates grapple with this.
He has proved himself to be a safe pair of hands, a very steady hand on the tiller and wise counsel to many."
Jeane Freeman was billed as a safe pair of hands when she took over as Health Secretary after her predecessor, Shona Robison, was dogged by crisis.
The FAI want a 'safe pair of hands' with Euro 2020 qualification a must considering Dublin hosts four games at the finals.
This is because a lot of people consider him a safe pair of hands, safe with the country and whenever he is handed an office people feel safe.
Pulis was seen as a safe pair of hands in China, having never previously suffered relegation during his long managerial career.
MailSport today launches Project Save - a campaign to place our game in the complete custody of one safe pair of hands.
Southgate has been a safe pair of hands but is well aware England now need to go up another level.
"Not only do we feel that the business will remain part of the thriving Midlands property market but we are confident that it will be successfully driven forward by this very safe pair of hands."
Pat is a safe pair of hands, although it Pat was Pat Kenny by numbers.
Gurney also has a safe pair of hands in the field (ten points are awarded for each catch).
"But David would be a very safe pair of hands on the tiller, that's an absolute certainty."