ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in the hands of sb

idiom
Meaning

when someone else has the power to control or decide what happens to you.


Examples
SIMPLE

My future is now in the hands of the manager.

CONTEXTUAL

The project is finished, so the final decision is now in the hands of the board members.

COMPLEX

With the negotiations stalled and the deadline looming, the fate of the entire company rested firmly in the hands of the lead mediator.

Last updated April 22, 2026