on one's hands adv. or
adj. phr. In your care or responsibility; that you must do something about.
Mrs. Blake left her five children with me while she shopped. I could not get anything done with the children on my hands. After everyone bought tickets to the dance, the club treasurer had over $100 on his hands. The electricity went off while Mother was cooking supper, and she had a problem on her hands. I had time on my hands before the bus came, so I bought a newspaper to read. Antonym: OFF ONE'S HANDS. See: SIT ON ONE'S HANDS.
Compare: HANG HEAVY or HANG HEAVY ON ONE'S HANDS.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲