On my hands meaning in English
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Definition
I've got some time on my hands: I'm not too busy, I have some free time
(I've got his murder) on my hands: I'm responsible for, I'm guilty of, I'm at fault for (his murder)
Examples
- "I've got a bit of a delicate problem on my hands, Brian."
- "Seems like Philip had some spare time on his hands this month as you can see."
Exercise 1
Choose the expression which could replace Sam's idiom "I've got a few hours to kill" in the dialogue.
Choose the expression which could replace Sam's idiom "I've got a few hours to kill" in the dialogue.
"So many things to do, so little time" is regretful expression which indicates that there isn't enough time in the day for the speaker to accomplish everything that he or she wishes to. It doesn't share the same message as Sam's expression.
Sam's line "I've got a few hours to kill" expresses that he has some "extra" or "spare" time. "To have time on one's hands" is to have free time. The last part of the phrase "on my hands" is a figurative way of saying "belonging to me" or "at my disposal". Note that this is quite similar to the expression "to have something on one's mind", which is "to be thinking about something".
"Time flies when you're having fun" is an expression which suggests that time passes quickly when one is enjoying themselves. It doesn't share the same message as Sam's expression.
"Time is of the essence" is an old English adage which simply means that something must be done quickly, even immediately. It expresses that there is pressure to do something right away, and that acting quickly is essential. This is not the same message which Sam's idiom expresses.
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