in your hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in your hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to emphasize that something is up to an individual or group of people. For example, "The success of this project is in your hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"IN YOUR HANDS," 1 p.m., Walter Reade.

The New York Times

Postdocs: Your Future Is in YOUR Hands!

Science Magazine

Numbness in your hands?

The New York Times

"It's in your hands".

The New Yorker

"He is in your hands".

The New Yorker

It is in your hands".

The New York Times

I'm in your hands, Amanda".

The Guardian

Normal brain sags in your hands".

The New Yorker

The choice is in your hands.

Independent

"'Your future is in your hands'.

The Economist

The power is in your hands.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in your hands", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being entrusted or controlled. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid overstating the level of control. While "in your hands" suggests significant influence, it doesn't imply absolute power. Be mindful of external factors that might affect the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in your hands" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating control, responsibility, or agency. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where outcomes depend on someone's actions or decisions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in your hands" is a versatile and widely used expression that conveys control, responsibility, or agency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. As seen through Ludwig's examples, it is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being entrusted or controlled to prevent ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "under your control" or "your responsibility" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under your control

Focuses on the aspect of having control over a situation or object, rather than just possession or responsibility.

your responsibility

Highlights the obligation and accountability associated with a task or decision.

up to you

Emphasizes the decision-making power vested in the individual.

at your discretion

Indicates that someone has the freedom to decide how something should be done.

within your power

Highlights the capacity or ability to influence or change something.

your call

A more informal way of saying that the decision rests with the person being addressed.

in your possession

Emphasizes the physical holding or ownership of something.

beholden to you

Focuses on the obligation or duty one has towards another.

subject to your approval

Highlights the need for consent or authorization from the individual.

dependent on your action

Emphasizes that something will only happen if the addressed individual takes some specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "in your hands" in a sentence?

You can use "in your hands" to express that someone has control or responsibility over something. For example, "The success of this project is "in your hands"." It indicates that the outcome depends on their actions.

What's a more formal way to say "in your hands"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "under your control" or "your responsibility". These phrases offer a similar meaning but are suited for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "in your hand" instead of "in your hands"?

The correct phrasing is "in your hands". "In your hand" implies physical possession of something singular, whereas "in your hands" suggests control, responsibility, or a more abstract concept. See the "Hold the unit in your hands" example.

What's the difference between "in your hands" and "up to you"?

"In your hands" generally implies responsibility or control over an outcome, while "up to you" indicates a decision is left to someone's discretion. The nuance is that 'in your hands' has an action component, and 'up to you' is a decision component.