take in hand

Idioms  

1. Deal with, assume control of, as in He's going to take their debts in hand and see if they need to declare bankruptcy, or Once the new teacher takes them in hand this class will do much better. [c. 1300] Also see in hand, def. 2.

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Example Sentences

“The heads of property development firms must personally take in hand the work of dealing with petitions and maintaining stability.”

From New York Times • Sep. 26, 2021

Best guess was that they would not; that they would remain afloat, ready to take in hand small crises which might develop anywhere from Palestine to Genoa.

From Time Magazine Archive

There is no more delicate matter to take in hand, nor more dangerous to conduct, nor more doubtful of success, than to step up as a leader in the introduction of changes.

From Time Magazine Archive

I should like to take in hand one of those bitter critics of modern Academia.

From Time Magazine Archive

Let Pitt himself take in hand a Militia Bill.

From Lord Chatham His Early Life and Connections by Rosebery, Archibald Phillip Primrose

Related Words

• begin
• engage in
• take on
• try
• undertake
• work on