on hand

Alternative forms

• on-hand, onhand

Etymology

From Middle English *onhande, onhende, from Old English onhende (“on hand, demanding attention”), from Proto-Germanic *anahandijaz. Equivalent to on- +‎ hand. Cognate with Icelandic áhendur (“within reach”). Compare offhand.

Prepositional phrase

on hand

1. (idiomatic) Available; ready; in stock.

   If you have cornstarch on hand, use it; otherwise, try a little flour.

   • 2011 September 29, Tom Rostance, “Stoke 2 - 1 Besiktas”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Rustu failed to collect a Whitehead corner, Shawcross saw his effort blocked and Crouch was on hand to bundle over the line from three yards out.