at hand
139
1.0
- idiom
- Except for right now, that we're asking you to just focus on the task at hand.
- close at hand
- resources at hand
- materials at hand
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Watch on YouTubeSo it's just guesstimation based on the the facts at hand.
- So it's just guesstimation based on the the facts at hand.
- I truly believe that people have that at hand.
- And this is an interview that you're going to want your pen paper at hand ready to go.
- OK, now back to the piping hot tea at hand.
- It's about what you can do with whatever you've got at hand.
- Even divisible ones like or equal precisely or just close at hand.
- So the thing that's missing is the opportunity at hand for that mobile execution in E com.
Examples
-
We have urgent business at hand if we are to be ready for the convention opening.
Academic text (1991) -
No, this is the issue at hand.
-
What our issue at hand is, where is the money?
-
Just take care of the business at hand.
-
All we can do is... ...use the information at hand to make the best decision possible.
-
Let's address the matter at hand.
-
Students need to see the relevance of the task at hand in their classes.
Academic text (1991) -
My hunger distracted me from the real question at hand: where were we to go now?
Fiction book (1994) -
That's the choice at hand in this election.
-
The report detailed the issues at hand and suggested several possible solutions.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
At a short distance in space or time
358
1.0
Close to a person, place, or thing
108
2.1
Ready to use or help when needed
12
2.4
Near you and easy to reach
1
3.3
Easy to get on a phone or computer
1
6.3
Someone is very near to give you help or advice
Antonyms
How Close
Surface Forms
Morphology
at + hand
The phrase combines the locative preposition 'at' with 'hand' (a nearby, within-reach body part), so its primary sense of 'near' or 'within reach' is directly inferable from the constituents. The temporal meaning 'imminent/soon' is a common and predictable spatial→temporal extension found in many languages, making the overall meaning accessible to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
At hand comes from the simple image of something being right next to your hand. If you can touch or grab it with your hand, it is easy to use, so the phrase means 'close' or 'within easy reach'.