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On Someone's Hands

What Does "On Someone's Hands" Mean?

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"On someone's hands" is an English idiom. It means "being the responsibility or burden of someone, often used when referring to a challenging or difficult situation."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "on someone's hands" used in a sentence:
  • The economic crisis became a pressing issue on the government's hands, requiring immediate action.
  • She felt that the success of the project was on her hands, and she worked tirelessly to ensure its completion.
  • Addressing the public health crisis was on the hands of healthcare professionals and policymakers.
meaning for on someone's hands

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "On Someone's Hands" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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