on my hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on my hands" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that you have a responsibility or obligation that you must take care of. For example, "I have a lot of projects on my hands this week, so I won't have much time for anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's on my hands.

The New York Times

Is Time on my hands?

The New Yorker

Yes, it is on my hands and.

The New Yorker

I slap it on my hands too.

The New York Times

I had time on my hands.

The New York Times

Walking on my hands around the house.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was sitting on my hands.

The Guardian

I had blood on my hands.

The New York Times

"I can walk on my hands now.

The New Yorker

Blood on my hands as I cut off his uniform.

The New York Times

I found myself with time on my hands.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. "On my hands" can also mean having free time or being responsible for unintended consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "on my hands" when you simply mean "with my hands". The idiom carries connotations of responsibility or available time, not just physical contact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on my hands" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often indicating responsibility, possession, or available time. Ludwig's examples show its versatile use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on my hands" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate responsibility, possession, or available time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As the provided examples show, it appears frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business communication. When writing, remember that "on my hands" implies more than just physical contact; it suggests a duty, task, or the presence of free time. Be mindful of this idiomatic meaning to avoid misinterpretations and ensure clarity in your writing. Related phrases like "in my care" or "my responsibility" can offer alternative ways to convey similar ideas, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my responsibility

Highlights the obligation or duty associated with a task or situation.

in my care

Focuses specifically on the responsibility of looking after something or someone.

in charge of

Emphasizes leadership and accountability, closely related to the responsibility aspect of "on my hands".

in my possession

Indicates physical control or ownership, differing from "on my hands" which can also imply responsibility.

under my control

Emphasizes the power or authority to manage or direct something.

at my disposal

Indicates readily available resources or options, similar to having something "on my hands".

occupying my time

Specifically refers to how time is being used, unlike "on my hands" which can also mean having free time.

my problem

Highlights that something is a source of concern or difficulty for the speaker.

available to me

Indicates something is accessible or at one's disposal, a sense of having "on my hands".

within my grasp

Suggests nearness or attainability, differing from responsibility but sharing a sense of immediacy.

FAQs

How can I use "on my hands" in a sentence?

You can use "on my hands" to indicate that you are responsible for something, such as "I have a big project "on my hands" right now". It can also mean that you have free time, like "I have some time "on my hands" this weekend".

What does it mean to have time "on my hands"?

Having time "on my hands" means you have free time or are not busy. You might say, "Since I'm retired, I have a lot of time "on my hands" now".

What can I say instead of "I have something on my hands" when referring to a difficult situation?

You can use alternatives like "I'm dealing with a difficult situation" or "I'm facing a challenge". These options avoid the idiomatic expression while conveying the same meaning.

Which is correct, "I have blood on my hands" or "I have blood in my hands"?

"I have blood on my hands" is the correct idiomatic expression, indicating guilt or responsibility for a negative outcome. "I have blood in my hands" would refer to a literal physical state.