close at hand
12
2.4
- idiom
- She kept a first aid kit close at hand during the hike for emergencies.
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Watch on YouTubeBut you will always need that umbrella so you make sure you keep it close at hand.
- But you will always need that umbrella so you make sure you keep it close at hand.
- I read a story yesterday that said no matter how dicey things get, Joe Biden is keeping Hunter Biden close at hand.
Examples
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When cooking, it's important to have all the ingredients close at hand.
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I always keep mine close at hand.
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The state hospital was close at hand, in the town at the foot of the mountain.
Fiction book (2001) -
Not all stars are far away: there is one that is close at hand.
Academic text (1991) -
So I reach for whatever is close at hand.
Fiction book (2000) -
Another important thing is to keep important papers such as insurance policies close at hand.
Blog text (3) -
Having family close at hand is indescribably helpful.
Blog text (28) -
Any educator attempting this approach will want to have Science News magazine close at hand.
Academic text (1996) -
I stood up slowly, put my knife away, and found my firekit close at hand.
Fiction book (2002) -
Writers can also use Scrivener to draft their manuscripts, with their outlines, virtual index cards, and research materials close at hand.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Near in space, time, or degree
∞
1.0
At a short distance in space or time
358
1.0
Close to a person, place, or thing
204
1.9
Very near in place or happening soon
139
1.0
Close by and easy to reach when you need it
3
4.7
Close enough to get what you want soon
1
6.3
Someone is very near to give you help or advice
Antonyms
How Near
Surface Forms
Morphology
close + at + hand
The meaning 'imminent' is directly derivable from 'close' (near) plus the locative phrase 'at hand' (literally near one's hand), so the phrase conveys nearness in time or occurrence in a straightforward compositional way. This spatial-to-temporal extension is common cross-linguistically and follows normal English locative composition, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would very likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Close at hand comes from the picture of something being close to your hand, as if you can reach or grab it right away. So it means 'near' or easy to reach.