The phrase "be in the hands of" is often used to indicate that something or someone is under the control or responsibility of someone else. The pronunciation of this phrase is phonetically transcribed as /bi ɪn ðə hændz əv/, with stress placed on the first syllable of "hands". In terms of spelling, the use of "be" and "in" is straightforward, while "hands" is spelled with an "s" despite the sound being a voiced "z" due to the historical development of the word.
To be in the hands of someone or something means to be under their control, possession, or influence. It implies that authority or power over a particular situation or entity rests with a specific person or group.
This expression can refer to various contexts. For instance, in a governance or legal context, it may suggest that the control or decision-making power lies with a particular individual, organization, or governing body. For example, a company's fate may be in the hands of its board of directors, meaning they have the authority to determine the company's future.
In a personal or emotional sense, being in the hands of someone may imply that an individual's well-being, happiness, or fate is dependent on another person's actions or choices. For instance, if someone says their happiness is in the hands of their partner, they are suggesting that their partner's actions greatly impact their emotional state.
This phrase can also be used to indicate that something is under the control or influence of external factors or circumstances. For example, if someone says that the success of their business is in the hands of the market, they are conveying that the performance and profitability of their business are dependent on external economic conditions or customer behaviors.
Overall, being in the hands of someone or something signifies the extent to which control, possession, or influence is exerted by a particular entity over a person, situation, or thing.