sits in the hands of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sits 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 sits in the hands of the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A rising chunk of the stockmarket sits in the hands of lazy investors.

The Economist

His new bill seems to have the goal of trading government bulk collection for even more NSA power to search Americans' data while it sits in the hands of the phone companies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some 41% of India Inc, measured by the profits of the biggest 100 firms, sits in the hands of state-controlled companies, from big oil firms to Coal India, with its vast empire of opencast mines, its own corporate song and 377,932 loyal workers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The drug industry sits in the hand of the government," says Reinhardt.

Forbes

Many important levers of influence over the Scottish housing market, such as lending regulations, still sit in the hands of Westminster, but this is no excuse for inaction.

The Guardian

If you're saying to me that too much power sat in the hands of too few people and the walls were too high then yes, you're right.

Independent

"If you're saying to me that too much power sat in the hands of too few people and the walls were too high then yes, you're right," he told the BBC last month.

The Guardian - Sport

The fate of the season and the labor deal will now rest with the courts, and sits largely in the hands of a lawyer, David Boies, who a few months ago was arguing for the N.F.L. that decertification by the N.F.L. players union was illegal.

The New York Times - Sports

Your way of working on a head that sits in the palm of your hand will be very different from a life-size head.

WikiHow

An icon sits in the top left-hand corner of the video player, and when you hover over it it provides content like quizzes, recommendations for recipes, e-commerce offers, and information about the host of the show.

TechCrunch

For the uninitiated, the Death Note story goes like this: You've got this popular Japanese teen named Light Yagami the sits-in-front-of-the-class-with-his-hand-permanently-raised sort of teen.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sits in the hands of" when you want to convey that control or influence is currently held, but potentially temporary or subject to change. It emphasizes the present state of authority.

Common error

Avoid using "sits in the hands of" if you need to express a permanent or absolute transfer of power. Phrases like "belongs to" or "is owned by" would be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sits in the hands of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating the location of control, responsibility, or influence. It highlights where the power or agency currently resides. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sits in the hands of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase indicating where control, responsibility, or influence currently resides. While relatively rare in overall usage, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "rests with" or "lies with" can be used depending on the desired nuance. It's important to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the present state of authority and avoid it when indicating a permanent transfer of power. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, which aligns with its consistent, although infrequent, appearance in reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rests with

Focuses on responsibility being placed on someone or something.

lies with

Similar to 'rests with', but often implies a decision or outcome.

is controlled by

Highlights the aspect of authority and management.

is the responsibility of

Emphasizes accountability and duty.

is under the jurisdiction of

More formal, indicating legal or official control.

is governed by

Focuses on the act of ruling or directing.

is in the power of

Highlights the influence and capacity to act.

is subject to

Indicates dependence on the actions of someone.

is at the mercy of

Suggests vulnerability and lack of control.

is dependent on

Shows reliance on someone or something for a specific outcome.

FAQs

What does "sits in the hands of" mean?

The phrase "sits in the hands of" means that something is currently under the control, responsibility, or influence of a person or group.

What can I say instead of "sits in the hands of"?

You can use alternatives like "rests with", "lies with", or "is controlled by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sits in the hands of" formal or informal?

The phrase "sits in the hands of" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it tends to appear more frequently in news and media or business contexts.

How do I use "sits in the hands of" in a sentence?

You can use "sits in the hands of" to indicate where the power or responsibility for something currently resides. For example, "The fate of the company now sits in the hands of the new CEO."