Take matters into one's own hands meaning in English

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Definition

to take matters into one's own hands: to do something oneself (usually something which isn't your responsibility) idiom

I'd like everybody to show some initiative and take matters into their own hands.

When the police wouldn't do anything, I took matters into my own hands by catching the criminal myself.

Examples

"If you do object to this visit, then I'd appreciate it if you could give me the telephone number of our Tech Support contractors so that I can take matters into my own hands."

Exercise 1

Polly writes that she will "take matters into [her] own hands".
Which of the following sentences expresses a similar meaning to Polly's line?

I will handle this problem personally.

This is correct. When Polly writes that she will "take matters into [her] own hands", she is expressing that she will take responsibility or "handle" the technical problems. The idiom "to take matters into one's own hands" means "to take charge of a problem".

I will strangle you.

This choice is incorrect. Polly is not threatening to "strangle" Bob, or use any other form of violence on him.

I will report this to the authorities.

This expression does not indicate that Polly will contact the authorities. Polly is actually expressing that she will take steps to resolve this problem herself, without Bob's help.

I will fix the computers myself.

This is a very literal interpretation of the idiom, which is not entirely accurate. Polly is not expressing that she herself will fix the computers, but rather that she will take responsibility for the problem, and solve it.

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