Meaning
The phrase “have a hand in” means to be involved in, to take part in, or to contribute to the making or doing of something, especially when influencing the outcome.
Grammar and Usage
- Structure: have a hand in + noun/gerund
- Part of speech: Phrasal verb (idiomatic expression).
- Used both for positive and negative involvement. Example: “She had a hand in planning the event.” / “He had a hand in the mistake.”
Common Phrases
- have a hand in something
- had a hand in organizing
- didn’t have a hand in it
Collocations
- have a hand in + decision / project / plan / mistake / crime / event / success
- directly / secretly have a hand in
Examples
- She had a hand in writing the company’s new policy.
- Did you have a hand in decorating this room?
- The teacher suspected he had a hand in the prank.
- I had no hand in the decision; it was entirely theirs.
- He had a hand in launching the new product line.
- The manager had a hand in organizing the training session.
- They believed she had a hand in the team’s success.
- He denied having a hand in the scandal.
Synonyms or Related
- be involved in
- participate in
- play a role in
- contribute to
- take part in
Antonym
- stay out of
- have nothing to do with
- be uninvolved in