[General] out of hand = at once, immediately

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

Ken and I will have to talk all this between ourselves, Mr. Brook. It’s too important a decision to make out of hand.

out of hand = at once, immediately

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

Ken and I will have to talk about [all] this between ourselves, Mr. Brook. It’s too important a decision to make out of hand.

out of hand = at once, immediately

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

I have never heard "out of hand" used in this way. However, I have found one dictionary definition which shows it to be the case, yet I've never seen or heard it!

To me, out of hand means out of control. "The economic crisis in Europe has got completely out of hand."

As far as your sentence goes, then I would say you have used the other definition correctly though.

I have added "about" to your original as you "talk about" something. An alternative would be "Ken and I have to talk all this through...." (to talk through = phrasal verb meaning "to discuss" and which doesn't require "about").

 

[vil]

Hi emsr2d2,
Thank you for your relevant amendment as well as for your original alternative.

Here are a few additional examples of the highly varied usage of the present key phrase.

And persistently I wrestled with the question: Should I marry Andrew out of hand?

The senator rejected out of hand the critics' call for his resignation.

out of hand = suddenly, quickly without examination of possible truth or merit; without any
consideration; immediately, this very minute, straight away

He let his temper get out of hand.

Bobby's birthday party got out of hand and the children were naughty.

Small puppies often get out of hand.

out of hand = out of control, no longer under management, direction, or regulation; unmanageable or unruly

The case has been out of hand for some time.

out of hand = concluded, closed, ready for

Regards,

V.