lying in the hands of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lying in the hands of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is under the control or influence of someone or something. Example: "The future of the project is lying in the hands of the new management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The responsibility should lie in the hands of the producers.

The New York Times - Food

"The decision lies in the hands of elected democrats.

The Guardian - Business

But its success lies in the hands of European managers.

The Economist

Indeed, our future lies in the hands of the youth.

The Guardian

Those lay in the hands of the country's leaders.

The New York Times - Arts

The salvation of Congo lies in the hands of her own sons and daughters.

The Guardian

Dr Jane Goodall strongly believes that the future of the world lies in the hands of youth.

The Guardian

After the revolution, the power should lie in the hands of the people.

The Guardian

The future of affirmative action lies in the hands of the next President.

The New Yorker

The answer lies in the hands of one man: the 44th president.

The New York Times

To a great extent, the direction of oil prices lies in the hands of US frackers.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lying in the hands of" to clearly indicate where the power, control, or responsibility for a particular situation or outcome resides. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize the impact of someone's actions or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "lying in the hands of" when the responsibility is shared among multiple parties or when the outcome is influenced by factors beyond anyone's control. Be precise in identifying who or what holds the primary influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying in the hands of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating where control, responsibility, or influence is vested. As Ludwig AI shows, this expression is commonly used to denote where the power to make decisions or affect outcomes resides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lying in the hands of" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that indicates where control, responsibility, or influence is situated. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it to be most common in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain settings. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify the party or entity responsible for the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fate lies with

Highlights how the fate or future is influenced by someone or something.

in the power of

Stresses the ability to influence or command something.

under the control of

Emphasizes direct control or authority over something.

the responsibility rests with

Highlights who is accountable or in charge.

at the mercy of

Highlights a situation of vulnerability and dependence on someone or something.

dependent on

Focuses on reliance and conditional outcome.

subject to the discretion of

Indicates that a decision or action depends on someone's judgment.

answerable to

Shows who is accountable or in charge and need to answer to someone.

within the purview of

Emphasizes the scope of authority or responsibility.

contingent upon

Highlights conditional dependence and outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lying in the hands of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "under the control of", "the responsibility rests with", or "within the purview of".

Is "lying in the hands of" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "lying in the hands of" is acceptable, but depending on the specific context, a more formal phrasing may be preferred. Options include "subject to the discretion of" or "the power lies with".

What's the difference between "lying in the hands of" and "at the mercy of"?

"Lying in the hands of" implies control or responsibility, whereas "at the mercy of" suggests vulnerability and dependence without any control. The former suggests influence; the latter suggests a lack of influence.

Can "lying in the hands of" be used in a negative context?

Yes, "lying in the hands of" can be used in a negative context to indicate that something undesirable is under the control of someone or something. For example, "The company's fate is lying in the hands of ruthless creditors".