On your hands

prepositional phrase

If you say you have time or a task on your hands, it means you have a lot of it to deal with.

With all of her kids gone to college, she suddenly found a lot of free time on her hands.

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 3

Pro Tip 1/3

The phrase often relates to time or tasks, not emotions or objects.

She had too much paperwork on her hands to join the meeting.

Pro Tip 2/3

It's used metaphorically to suggest mental or emotional occupation.

After retirement, he found himself with too much time on his hands.

Pro Tip 3/3

Can imply an unwanted surplus of time or tasks.

I have too much time on my hands and nothing to do.

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