trouble at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trouble at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation or problem that is currently present and needs attention or resolution. Example: "With the deadline approaching, we have some trouble at hand that we need to address immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The advantage of a phone call or a drop-by over e-mail is clearly greatest when there is trouble at hand.

The New York Times

Merle declined to get specific about the trouble at hand, saying that "there's too many people hurt already," but he made plain his desire to continue to stay the hell out of Tennessee as much as possible.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But for many, the old debate about whether this is a recession has become purely academic, and eclipsed by the troubles at hand.

The New York Times

He was born in Hayle, Cornwall, to parents who ran a small construction firm, and soon after his family moved to Portadown, Co Armagh where he experienced the Troubles at first hand while being educated at Portadown college.

The Guardian

True, economic troubles may be at hand.

The New York Times

"In this case, there is a clear violation of federal law," said Tom Daschle, the Senate Democratic leader of South Dakota, trying to draw a distinction between former President Bill Clinton's troubles and the situation at hand.

The New York Times

"This morning, I was having trouble focussing on the task at hand.

The New Yorker

Without my dick, my ability to work would be hindered because I wouldn't be able to have sex with co-workers as a bargaining tool and just generally have trouble concentrating on the task at hand because I'm lacking sex.

Vice

The oceanic whitetip is a competitive, opportunistic predator that exploits the resource at hand, rather than avoiding trouble in favour of a possibly easier future meal.

Wikipedia

Long moments of silence during discussion times were rare, because students could easily refer to their prepared comments if they had trouble recalling information pertaining to the figure at hand.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Guys who take four hours to answer each message usually have enough friends or cocaine at hand not to be worth the trouble anyway.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trouble at hand" when you want to emphasize that a problem is current and requires immediate attention or action. This can help create a sense of urgency and focus the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "trouble at hand" for future or hypothetical problems. It is best suited for describing immediate, existing issues. Using it inappropriately can confuse your audience and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trouble at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a complement. It identifies a specific problem or difficulty that requires attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and can be used to refer to a situation that is currently present and needs attention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trouble at hand" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote an existing problem needing immediate attention. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a correct phrase to describe a situation or problem at the present time. While it’s versatile enough for various contexts, as supported by examples from News & Media, Wiki, and Science, it's more common in neutral settings. To ensure clarity, it's advisable to specify the nature of the trouble being referenced. For alternative phrasing, consider using "immediate problem" or "pressing issue". However, always reserve "trouble at hand" for issues that are current, not hypothetical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate problem

Highlights the urgency and need for immediate attention.

the problem at issue

Highlights the specific difficulty that needs resolution.

present difficulty

Emphasizes the challenge that exists in the current moment.

pressing issue

Stresses the importance and urgency of the matter.

current predicament

Focuses on the difficult or dangerous situation currently being faced.

existing challenge

Focuses on the fact that the challenge is already present and needs to be addressed.

the challenge before us

Highlights the obstacle that must be overcome.

the matter in question

Refers to the specific issue being discussed or considered.

the situation we face

Emphasizes the collective aspect of dealing with the problem.

the crisis at present

Focuses on the urgent and critical nature of the situation.

FAQs

What does "trouble at hand" mean?

The phrase "trouble at hand" refers to a problem or difficult situation that is currently present and needs to be addressed.

How can I use "trouble at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "trouble at hand" to describe immediate problems. For example: "With the project behind schedule, we have some "trouble at hand" that we need to resolve quickly."

What are some alternatives to "trouble at hand"?

Some alternatives to "trouble at hand" include "immediate problem", "pressing issue", or "current predicament".

Is "trouble at hand" formal or informal?

"Trouble at hand" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific situation. It is generally considered a neutral expression.