have something on hand vs have something in hand

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Have something on hand' means to have something available or ready for use, while 'have something in hand' means to have something under control or in one's possession.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 394 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean having something available or ready for use.

"have something on hand"

This phrase is used to indicate that something is readily accessible or available for use when needed.

Examples:

Make sure you have some snacks on hand for the road trip.
I always keep a spare pen on hand in case I need to write something down.
It's good to have some extra cash on hand in case of emergencies.

Show examples from the web [+]

have something on hand
But if you can back this up, you could have something tremendous on your hands.
If you can back this up, you could have something tremendous on your hands.
And if we can look at these things and learn from them and see how to turn them outwards, then I really think we have something quite revolutionary on our hands.
We've got something on hand now that's as much your business as ours.
Plus, obviously, you have something in your hand.
I feel like I should have something in my hands.
There's something on my hand though.
And this religion of entertainment "is not hope: it is the desire to have something in ones hand".
Brooks, shine a light over here. I feel something on my hand.
Sarah, had written something on her hand:
You need an ante because it guarantees that someone will always win something on each hand.
She steals a pen from a desk and uses it to write something on her hand.
Now you have something to wrap your hands around, like you wanted.
You'd have something in that hand and this hand you'd forget about.
No. I thought we could go with something hand-made this year.
So you have something divine in your hands: a book like fire!
He holds something tasty hands:)
Making something with our hands reflects something basic about ourselves.
Unless you have giant hands or something.
This verse was something we experienced first-hand.

Alternatives:

have something at hand
have something ready
have something available

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean having something under control or in one's possession.

"have something in hand"

This phrase is used to indicate that something is being managed or controlled effectively or is in one's possession.

Examples:

The project is going well, we have everything in hand.
She has the situation in hand and knows how to handle it.
I have the keys in hand, so we can leave whenever you're ready.

Alternatives:

have something under control
have something in one's possession
have something managed

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have something on hand vs have something in hand