take sb/sth in hand
mainly UKto start to be in charge of someone or something, especially in order to improve a situation or someone's behaviour:
The matter was taken in hand by the director himself.
That child needs taking in hand, if you ask me.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Controlling and being in charge
- aggrandize
- assume
- assumption
- authoritative
- balance of power
- divide
- dominant
- have sb by the balls idiom
- have sb eating out of your hand idiom
- have sb in the palm of your hand idiom
- have sth in hand idiom
- have/hold the whip hand idiom
- heel
- hook
- preside over sth
- pull
- pull rank idiom
- pull the strings idiom
- putty
- rein
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Making things better