In a competition, if someone has games or matches in hand, they have more games or matches left to play than their opponent and therefore have the possibility of scoring more points.
[British]
They have a game in hand on two of the clubs above them.
See full dictionary entry for hand
in hand
phrase
If you have time or money in hand, you have more time or money than you need.
[British]
Hughes finished with 15 seconds in hand.
See full dictionary entry for hand
in hand the job in hand
or the job in hand
phrase
The job or problem in hand is the job or problem that you are dealing with at the moment.
The business in hand was approaching some kind of climax.
Synonyms: under way, being dealt with, being attended to More Synonyms of in hand
See full dictionary entry for hand
in hand
phrase
If a situation is in hand, it is under control.
The event organisers say that matters are well in hand.
Synonyms: under control, in order, receiving attention More Synonyms of in hand
See full dictionary entry for hand
in hand in British English
a.
in possession
b.
under control
c.
receiving attention or being acted on
d.
available for use; in reserve
e.
with deferred payment
he works a week in hand
See full dictionary entry for hand
in hand in American English
1.
in order or control
2.
in possession
3.
being worked on; in process
See full dictionary entry for hand
Examples of 'in hand' in a sentence
in hand
These two problems go hand in hand.
The Sun (2016)
Monetary and fiscal policy go hand in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He just dusted himself down and tried again until he'd mastered the job in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Moreover, they do not necessarily go hand in hand with the best leadership.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I think it goes hand in hand with being an actor.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But are prospective members put off by all the pomp and ceremony that goes hand in hand with ICT membership?
Computing (2010)
He has six points and a game in hand on the third-placed team and is not playing again until Wednesday.
The Sun (2017)
Alongside the sprouts, roasties and tinsel, stress goes hand in hand with the festive season for many of us.
The Sun (2016)
As we are having to remind ourselves in the UK today, trade and prosperity go hand in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you have matches in hand you can control your own destiny.
The Sun (2014)
Pile attention on the job in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They do have two games in hand on their rivals.
The Sun (2013)
Preparation for the new challenge was in hand a long time ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Tax and regulation often go hand in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It sets just the right tone for the job in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Strong capital growth and hefty returns to shareholders can go hand in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Get on with the real job in hand.
The Sun (2011)
Risk and return go hand in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Fit the team to the job in hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But the presence of a microphone in front of you does tend to focus the mind on the business in hand.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
Back to the business in hand.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Matters seemed to be in hand until last week, when crisis point was reached.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The self-confidence born from a strong sense of control goes hand in hand with competence.
Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)
Simply put, this policy allows us to spend only the money already in hand.
Christianity Today (2000)
Arguments over lenders' contributory negligence in handing out money to all and sundry is an obvious line of attack.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Not that there's no stress for me in handing over control, of course.
The Sun (2011)
It needn't be very formal, just well organized to make sure that you get through the business in hand.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
To do so, he used the services of a new company called Allow that specialises in handing control of personal data back to their owner.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
All related terms of 'in hand'
hand in
If you hand in something such as homework or something that you have found, you give it to a teacher , police officer , or other person in authority.
hand in hand
If two people are hand in hand , they are holding each other's nearest hand, usually while they are walking or sitting together. People often do this to show their affection for each other.
cap in hand
If you go cap in hand to someone, you ask them very humbly to give you something or to do something for you.
cash in hand
a payment made directly in cash , rather than through a bank
four-in-hand
a road vehicle drawn by four horses and driven by one driver
hat in hand
humbly or servilely
take in hand
to discipline ; control
hand in glove
If you work hand in glove with someone, you work very closely with them.
go hand in hand
if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected and cannot be considered separately from each other
work hand in hand
if two people or organizations work hand in hand, they work closely together, often with a single aim
the job in hand
The job or problem in hand is the job or problem that you are dealing with at the moment .
keep one's hand in
to continue or practise
throw in your hand
to give up trying to do something
a bird in the hand
A bird in the hand is something that you already have and do not want to risk losing by trying to get something else.
have a hand in sth
If you have a hand in something such as an event or activity , you are involved in it.
take sb/sth in hand
If you take something or someone in hand , you take control or responsibility over them, especially in order to improve them.
throw in one's hand
(in cards) to concede defeat by putting one's cards down
throw one's hand in
→ throw in (sense 3 )
the ace in your hand
something that you have, and that you can use to your own advantage
to keep your hand in
If you do something to keep your hand in , you practise a skill or hobby occasionally in order to remain fairly good at it.
go hat in hand to someone
to ask someone very humbly and respectfully for money or help . The usual British expression is go cap in hand to someone .
have your hand in the till
to be caught stealing or doing something wrong . The usual American expression is be caught with your hand in the cookie jar .
in the palm of one's hand
If you have someone or something in the palm of your hand , you have control over them.
take someone or something in hand
to take control of someone or something, in order to improve them
to give notice
If an employer gives an employee notice , the employer tells the employee that he or she must leave his or her job within a fixed period of time.
do something to keep your hand in
to do something in order to use the skills which you have developed in the past , so that you do not lose them
hand in one's notice/give in one's notice
If you hand in your notice or give in your notice , you tell your employer that you intend to leave your job soon within a set period of time.
be caught with your hand in the cookie jar
to be caught stealing or doing something wrong . The usual British expression is have your hand in the till .
be hand in glove with someone or something
to be working very closely with another person or organization, often in order to do something dishonest or immoral
have someone in the palm of your hand
to have a group of people, especially an audience , giving you their full attention and responding enthusiastically to everything you say or do
1 (phrase)
Definition
available in reserve
I'll pay now as I have the money in hand.
Synonyms
in reserve
This is the vehicle kept in reserve.
ready
put by
available for use
2 (phrase)
Definition
receiving attention
The business in hand was approaching some kind of climax.