English

Prepositional phrase

in hand

1. In physical possession; at one's disposal. [from 10th c.]
2. Held in the hand. [from 14th c.]

   Pen in hand, I turned back to the letter I was writing.

3. (obsolete) In the presence of a particular person. [14th-19th c.]
4. Under consideration; currently being dealt with or addressed. [from 14th c.]
5. Under control. [from 18th c.]

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

6. (snooker, billiards, pool) Of the cue ball: not on the table; able to be positioned by the current player. [from 19th c.]
7. (sports, chiefly Britain) Still to be played. [from 19th c.]
   • 2013, The Guardian, 16 Sep 2013:

     At the other end […] the Sounders completed a run that had taken them from 15 points off the lead, to first place in the Supporters Shield standings with two games in hand.

Derived terms

• hat in hand

Translations

Anagrams

• hand in