task at hand
22
3.4
- noun
:
tarea en cuestión
- We have to focus on the task at hand.
- focus on the task at hand
- concentrate on the task at hand
- attention to the task at hand
They're trying to do the task at hand and also beat the stereotype.
- They're trying to do the task at hand and also beat the stereotype.
- They're not just interrupted and go right back to the task at hand.
- So a lot of guys get in there and they become claustrophobic and they can't think about the tasks at hand.
- The basic task of us humans is to design methods that are more and more general versus more and more specific to the tasks at hand.
- Because I want my surgeon focused like a laser beam on the task at hand.
- All that stuff on your desk makes it hard to focus on the task at hand.
- Is He might be surprised he was focused on the task at hand, right?
- But I went right back to what is a task at hand.
- I think, you know, negotiables changed based on the people, your organization and the task at hand.
- But I think people understand that even if they do them, they know it's not sufficient to the task at hand.
Examples
-
I shuddered at that vision and tried to concentrate on the task at hand.
Fiction book (1994) -
Networked devices can also easily distract students from the task at hand.
Academic text (2012) -
This will give you some idea of the task at hand.
-
Can you keep your mind on the task at hand.
-
But right now, I need your full attention on the task at hand.
Fiction book (1994) -
Guys, let's focus on the task at hand.
-
Students need to see the relevance of the task at hand in their classes.
Academic text (1991) -
Effective and early creation of these contracts was critical to completing the task at hand.
Academic text (1999) -
They have a far more important task at hand.
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We must prioritize the task at hand to meet our deadline.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A task you must do as part of your duties
∞
1.0
A piece of work someone must do, often given by another person
47
4.6
A large difficult task that needs a lot of effort
Antonyms
How Urgent
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the particular job currently being dealt with' is directly derivable from combining 'task' (a job) with the locative phrase 'at hand' (literally 'within reach' or 'nearby'), a common spatial metaphor for something current or imminent. This compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically accessible, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The phrase task at hand may come from the simple image of holding a job in your hand, so the task is close and ready to use. So, it means 'the job you need to deal with now'.