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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Have time on your hands

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Have free time with no particular task or activity to fill it.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I had some time on my hands between classes, so I visited the exhibition.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Have free time with no particular task or activity to fill it.
Show the answer

Have time on your hands — Have free time with no particular task or activity to fill it.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Have time on your hands” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

Have free time with no particular task or activity to fill it.

Compare: I had some time on my hands between classes, so I visited the exhibition.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this conversational expression when someone has spare time available. Depending on context, it may suggest a welcome opportunity or boredom.

More examples in context

  • Since the project ended, we have had more time on our hands.
  • If you have time on your hands this weekend, you could help at the book sale.

Usage note

“Time” is uncountable here: say “some time”, not “a time”. This describes available time, rather than being able to see the time on a watch.

A short conversation

A: How did you manage to organise all these photos?
B: I had time on my hands during the long journey.
A: They look much easier to find now.

One more practice question

When do you have time on your hands?

A. When you have a free hour with nothing planned.
B. When every minute is filled with urgent tasks.

Check your answer

A. An unoccupied hour is time available to fill.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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