a safe pair of hands
/ə ˌseɪf ˌpeər əv ˈhændz/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
someone you can trust with an important job
Examples
- 1The committee wanted a safe pair of hands to run the festival.
- 2Ben is a safe pair of hands, which is why he keeps the keys.
- 3Whoever takes over the accounts must be a safe pair of hands, because one slip costs thousands.
- 4They chose Maria because the board needed a safe pair of hands after the scandal.
- 5Is Leo a safe pair of hands, or will he need checking every week?
Grammar
A noun phrase describing a person, normally after be or need. Keep pair singular and hands plural.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about work and careers
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English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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