at hand

at hand — idiom

1. if an event, season, or point in time is at hand, it will arrive very soon and y

1.慣用語B2
釋義

if an event, season, or point in time is at hand, it will arrive very soon and you need to get ready for it

例句

The final exams are at hand, so Maria has been studying every evening after work.

subject is an event / time period

With summer at hand, the Okafor family started planning their trip to the coast.

同義詞
  • approaching

    the most direct synonym, slightly less formal

  • coming up

    informal alternative; common in conversation

  • imminent

    more formal, often used for serious or negative events

  • around the corner

    idiomatic and informal; very common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • far off

    distant in time; the opposite of approaching

  • distant

    formal; can be used for both time and place

文法句型

at hand (after noun)

用法筆記

The subject is usually an event, a season, or a significant moment — not a person. 'At hand' in this sense cannot describe a person approaching.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher is at hand, so be quiet.
✅The exam is at hand, so start reviewing.
💡'at hand' describes events, not people approaching.

2. close enough to you in position so that you can easily pick it up, use it, or ge

2.慣用語B2
釋義

close enough to you in position so that you can easily pick it up, use it, or get help from it

例句

Amir always keeps a glass of water at hand while working at his desk.

verb pattern: keep + [object] + at hand

The nurse made sure that all emergency supplies were at hand before the surgery began.

同義詞
  • within reach

    the closest synonym; interchangeable in most contexts

  • handy

    more informal; often used for useful tools or objects

  • close by

    neutral; can describe both objects and people

  • accessible

    more formal; emphasizes ease of use

反義詞

文法句型

have/keep [something] at hand

be at hand

用法筆記

Frequently used with verbs like 'keep,' 'have,' or 'be.' The object is something you might need urgently or regularly. Unlike sense 1, this sense describes physical objects or people providing help, not events.

常見錯誤

❌She kept a happy mood at hand.
✅She kept a bottle of water at hand.
💡'at hand' in this sense is for physical objects or helpers, not abstract states.

3. the particular subject, problem, or task that people are dealing with or talking

3.慣用語B2
釋義

the particular subject, problem, or task that people are dealing with or talking about right now, rather than other related topics

例句

Let us focus on the matter at hand instead of bringing up old complaints.

fixed phrase: the matter / issue / question at hand

The question at hand is whether the school can finish the new library by September.

同義詞
  • under discussion

    neutral and widely used in both speech and writing

  • in question

    formal; often appears in legal or academic contexts

  • current

    the simplest alternative; less formal but clear

  • being dealt with

    more informal; focuses on action rather than discussion

反義詞

文法句型

the [noun] at hand

用法筆記

Almost always used after a noun such as 'matter,' 'issue,' 'question,' 'topic,' or 'problem.' It is a fixed expression; the noun cannot be a person or an object.

常見錯誤

❌Let's return to the person at hand.
✅Let's return to the matter at hand.
💡only topics and issues go with this sense, not people.