on hand—
1. (also: in hand) available; in one’s possession:
- The college had $117,000 on hand for the stadium building fund.
2. (also: at hand) within easy reach; close by:
- Always have your dictionary on hand when you study.
3. present; in attendance:
- All his old friends will be on hand to see Jack receive the medal of honor.
4. said of smth. to be done:
- There’s a big job on hand for tomorrow; we must start early.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on the arm—(U.S. sl.) free of charge:
- Murphy said he had got in touch with twelve lawyers to represent a cop when he is in trouble and to do it on the arm.
on one’s hands—remaining under one’s care as a burden or unwelcome responsibility:
- The dealer found himself with twenty-five new cars on his hands which he had to sell at a big discount.