adv. or adj. phr. 1. Under control. The principal was happy to find that the new teacher had her class in hand. The baby-sitter kept the children well in hand. Mabel was frightened when the barking dog ran at her, but she soon got herself in hand and walked on.
Antonym: OUT OF HAND. 2. In your possession; with you. Often used in the phrase "cash in hand". Tom figured that his cash in hand with his weekly pay would be enough to buy a car.
Compare: ON HAND. 3. Being worked on; with you to do. We should finish the work we have in hand before we begin something new.