# fall into the wrong hands

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/fall-into-the-wrong-hands
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To become the possession of, or be discovered by, an unfriendly third party.

## Examples

- Keep your password safe so it does not fall into the wrong hands.
- The spy worried that the secret documents might fall into the wrong hands if he left them on his desk.
- The scientist feared that if his dangerous research were to fall into the wrong hands, it could cause irreparable harm to the public.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.