close to hand

close to hand

1. Within reach. Keep the phone close to hand while you wait for my call. Ah, now this is a vacation—lounging on the beach with a cold drink close to hand.2. Immediately available. You'll want to keep a reserve of cash close to hand for any unforeseen expenses you might occur while setting up the business. As your legal counsel, we will remain close to hand for the duration of the trial.3. Very close (to arriving or occurring). Politicians in Brussels have hinted that an agreement may be close to hand. With just two minutes remaining, it looks like the team's first championship in 70 years is finally close to hand.See also: close, hand