matters in the hands of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matters in the hands of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation or issue is under someone's control or responsibility. Example: "The decision about the project’s future now rests with the board, and all matters are in the hands of their judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Decollectivization has left almost all matters in the hands of the peasants.

The New Yorker

Then he went off to Brussels to attend to business in Europe and left matters in the hands of his deputy, Mr. Robinson.

The New York Times

City of London Police said on Friday it "will reassess whether a criminal investigation is now appropriate" having previously left matters in the hands of the FCA.

The Guardian - Business

doesn't want legislators to force it into religious battles, and the religious parties — as well as many Orthodox Jews — want to keep religious matters in the hands of the rabbis.

The New York Times

For most of the 19th century, men had made the decorating decisions, but with the growth of suburbia they commuted farther to work and spent less time at home, leaving these matters in the hands of their wives.

The New York Times

Mr. Barak obliquely referred to the shooting today when he advised Israeli civilians to leave matters in the hands of the Israel Army, "which, as we saw today, is taking action against the direct perpetrators of terrorist attacks," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Will the judge leave the matter in the hands of the jury?

The New York Times

She has placed this matter in the hands of her lawyers for immediate and appropriate action".

Independent

I decided to not leave this matter in the hands of the Internet.

The New York Times

That could leave the matter in the hands of the Senate, where Democrats won a narrow majority in November.

The New York Times

It was he, and not the club, that later put the matter in the hands of solicitors.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matters in the hands of", ensure the context clearly defines whose hands hold the matters, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "matters in the hands of" without specifying who is responsible. Always clarify who is in control to prevent confusion about accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters in the hands of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adjective to describe where the responsibility or control of specific issues lies. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly appears in sentences where delegation or accountability is being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matters in the hands of" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate that responsibility or control over specific issues has been assigned to a particular person or entity. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts, but also within wiki and scientific publications. Its primary function is to communicate the delegation of authority. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, ensuring clarity about who holds the matters is vital to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "under the jurisdiction of", "within the purview of", and "the responsibility of", each offering slightly different nuances related to authority and control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the responsibility of

Highlights the obligation and duty associated with the matters.

in the charge of

Implies a formal assignment of responsibility.

under the jurisdiction of

Focuses on legal or official authority over the matters.

within the purview of

Emphasizes the scope or range of authority or control.

managed by

Highlights the act of overseeing and directing the matters.

subject to the discretion of

Indicates that the matters are decided based on someone's judgment.

controlled by

Focuses on having power or influence over the matters.

up to the judgment of

Indicates that the matters are decided by someone's evaluation.

in the domain of

Specifies the area or sphere of influence regarding the matters.

the concern of

Emphasizes the area of interest or worry regarding the matters.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "under the jurisdiction of", "within the purview of", or "the responsibility of" depending on the specific context. Each carries a slightly different nuance relating to authority and control.

What does it mean when something is described as "matters in the hands of" someone?

It means that the responsibility, control, or decision-making power regarding those specific matters rests with that person or entity. It indicates they are in charge of handling the situation.

Is there a difference between saying "matter is in the hands of" versus "matters are in the hands of"?

Yes, "matter is in the hands of" refers to a single issue or concern, while "matters are in the hands of" refers to multiple issues or concerns. The verb conjugation should match the number of subjects.

What are some situations where it's appropriate to say "matters in the hands of"?

This phrase is appropriate when discussing legal proceedings, delegating tasks, transferring authority, or describing who has control over decisions within an organization or situation. For example: "The legal matter is in the hands of the lawyers."