Phrase guide

in hand

prep_phrase · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In physical possession; at one's disposal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: at hand, on hand, to hand, handy, at the ready

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Held in the hand or hands.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Pen in hand, I turned back to the letter I was writing.
  • Grab a Wincheter in hand and take the land.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

In the presence of a particular person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

prep_phrase

Meaning 4

Under consideration; currently being dealt with or addressed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Observations that are foreign to the matter in hand

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: at hand

Antonyms: ignored, neglected

5

prep_phrase

Meaning 5

Under control.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • You need to get this situation in hand, and fast.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: out of hand

6

prep_phrase

Meaning 6

Of the cue ball: not on the table; able to be positioned by the current player.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, billiards, games, hobbies, lifestyle, pool, snooker, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

prep_phrase

Meaning 7

Still to be played.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

adverb

Meaning 8

under control

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the riots were in hand

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: out of hand

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: sous la main — at one's disposal
  • Malayalam: കയ്യിൽ (kayyil) — at one's disposal
  • Tamil: கையில் (kaiyil) — at one's disposal
  • French: en main — held in the hand
  • Italian: in mano — held in the hand
  • Malayalam: കയ്യിൽ (kayyil) — held in the hand
  • Tamil: கையில் (kaiyil) — held in the hand
  • French: sous contrôle — under control
  • Italian: in mano — under control
  • Latin: sub frenō — under control
  • Latin: in frenīs — under control
  • Malayalam: കയ്യിൽ (kayyil) — under control
  • Tamil: கையில் (kaiyil) — under control