on hand available or present Is there a doctor on hand ? This is how the expression is used in one of our stories: It's here the odd maintenance job is carried out with dad on hand to give plenty of professional advice. on hold Something that is on hold is delayed until later She put her career on hold to have a baby. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories: For researchers like Eric Mitran, it means he may have to put his experiments on hold , along with his dream that wearing perfume to the beach will one day be as routine as slapping on a hat and sun cream. on home soil in your own country; in your own territory; on your own ground This year we'll be playing them on home soil . This is how the expression is used in one of our stories: So I guess like, I'm still going to be playing until then, obviously, and be in the best form that I can because I'd love to captain Australia on home soil and win the World Cup. on one hand / on the other hand We use these expressions to contrast the good side of thing with a bad side. On one hand fulltime work is good because of the money, but on the other hand you have no time to spend the money. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories: On