have time on your hands
/hæv ˌtaɪm ɒn jɔː ˈhændz/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
to have free hours with nothing that needs doing
Examples
- 1Now that the course has ended, I have time on my hands and want a new hobby.
- 2With every meeting cancelled, Priya had time on her hands for the rest of the afternoon.
- 3All his jobs were finished by nine; he had time on his hands until lunch.
- 4If you have time on your hands while waiting, there are magazines beside the sofa.
- 5Their train was delayed and there was nothing to do, so they had time on their hands.
Grammar
Change have for tense and agreement, and match your to the subject. Keep hands plural.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about time
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →the time of your lifean exceptionally enjoyable experiencein the nick of timejust before it becomes too latebetter late than neverdoing something late is preferable to not doing ittime fliesthe hours or years seem to pass surprisingly quicklyat the drop of a hatimmediately and with very little encouragementat the eleventh hourat the last possible moment before a deadline
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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