come in handy
Meaning: To be useful when needed.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Keep the box; it might come in handy when you move.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Handy" here means convenient, close at hand. The phrase is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Swedish: komma till pass — literally: to come to use
More idioms — Daily Life
- put someone in their place — To remind someone firmly that they are not as important as they think.
- play for high stakes — To take part in something where a great deal can be won or lost.
- take liberties — To behave too freely or presumptuously.
- give someone what for — To scold or punish someone severely.
- like talking to a brick wall — Speaking to someone who does not listen or respond.
- have a thing for someone — To be attracted to someone.
More English idioms
- like two peas in a pod — Very similar in looks or character.
- cool as a cucumber — Very calm, especially under pressure.
- in broad daylight — Openly, during the day, when anyone could see.
- not my circus, not my monkeys — It's not my problem, so I'm staying out of it.
- too many cooks spoil the broth — When too many people work on something, the result is worse.
- a vicious circle — A situation where one problem causes another, which makes the first worse.
From our untranslatable words
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- Épanouissement — The full flourishing of a person — blooming into your most complete, radiant self. More t…
- Ressourcement — The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…