Take somebody in hand
verb
To take control of someone or their problems.
Being the eldest brother, John had to take his younger siblings in hand when their parents passed away.
Often appears as...
- take someone in hand
- take a situation in hand
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To start to deal with someone or a situation in a strict and firm way if they have behaved badly or a situation has become difficult.
The government vowed to take the unruly protestors in hand.
Often appears as...
- take unruly behavior in hand
- need to take someone in hand
verb
To accept responsibility for someone else's care or handling.
The animal shelter took the stray dogs in hand.
Often appears as...
- take an issue in hand
- taking life in hand
verb
To take control of someone or their problems.
Being the eldest brother, John had to take his younger siblings in hand when their parents passed away.
Often appears as...
- take someone in hand
- take a situation in hand
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To start to deal with someone or a situation in a strict and firm way if they have behaved badly or a situation has become difficult.
The government vowed to take the unruly protestors in hand.
Often appears as...
- take unruly behavior in hand
- need to take someone in hand
verb
To accept responsibility for someone else's care or handling.
The animal shelter took the stray dogs in hand.
Often appears as...
- take an issue in hand
- taking life in hand
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Authoritative Role
Used when someone must control a situation by guiding or directing others.
The captain had to take his team in hand to ensure they played by the rules.
Pro Tip 2/2Responsibility Shift
Indicates a situation where someone assumes control over something usually handled by another.
With the teacher ill, the substitute had to take the class in hand.
Pro Tip 1/2Authoritative Role
Used when someone must control a situation by guiding or directing others.
The captain had to take his team in hand to ensure they played by the rules.
Pro Tip 2/2Responsibility Shift
Indicates a situation where someone assumes control over something usually handled by another.
With the teacher ill, the substitute had to take the class in hand.
Pro Tip 1/2Authoritative Role
Used when someone must control a situation by guiding or directing others.
The captain had to take his team in hand to ensure they played by the rules.
Pro Tip 2/2Responsibility Shift
Indicates a situation where someone assumes control over something usually handled by another.
With the teacher ill, the substitute had to take the class in hand.
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