Take Matters into One's Own Hands

What Does "Take Matters into One's Own Hands" Mean?

"Take matters into one's own hands" is an English idiom. It means "to assume control or responsibility for a situation or problem independently, often due to a lack of confidence in others' abilities."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "take matters into one's own hands" used in a sentence:

• When the project was falling behind schedule, he decided to take matters into his own hands and lead the team to completion.
• Taking matters into one's own hands can be a proactive approach when there is a sense of urgency.
• In some cases, taking matters into one's own hands is necessary to ensure a successful outcome.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Take Matters into One's Own Hands" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "take matters into one's own hands" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions