Come in Handy – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever kept something just in case, and later you really needed it? Maybe a simple tool saved your day. In English, we have a perfect phrase for this. Today, you will learn the idiom come in handy.
What Does “Come in Handy” Mean?
“Come in handy” means to be useful or helpful in a particular situation. Think of it like having an umbrella when it suddenly rains. It describes an item, skill, or piece of information that proves valuable when you need it.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom in many everyday contexts. Use it when an object is unexpectedly useful. Use it when a skill helps you solve a problem. You can also use it when advice or information helps you. This phrase is informal and friendly, perfect for daily conversation.
Example Sentences
- I always carry a multi-tool; you never know when it will come in handy.
- Those Spanish classes I took last year really came in handy on my trip.
- Keep that box—it might come in handy for storage later.
- His knowledge of first aid came in handy during the emergency.
Mini Dialogue
Ben: “I’m so glad I brought this phone charger.”
Lisa: “I know! It’s really coming in handy right now.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom is about usefulness. Do not use it to mean something is physically in your hand.
❌ Don’t say: “The book came in handy when I read it.”
✅ Do say: “That tip you gave me came in handy during the test.”
Practice Tip
Look around your home and find one item that was recently useful. Say to yourself, “My [item] really came in handy when I needed to [action].”
Final Note
Using “come in handy” is a natural way to talk about useful things in English. Try using it this week when something helps you out. Now you’re ready to use this handy idiom like a native speaker!