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to be useful at some future time
This Swiss Army knife will come in handy when we go camping.
The knife will be useful during the camping trip.
Don’t throw away that old laptop—it might come in handy for parts.
The laptop could be useful for spare parts later.
Often implies unexpected or future utility rather than immediate need.
Do not confuse this with physical actions like 'handing something in.' Focus on the future utility implied by the phrase.
The phrase always implies potential future usefulness, not immediate need.
The phrase combines 'come in' (to enter a state or place) with 'handy' (convenient or useful). The idiomatic use emerged in the early 20th century, evolving from the literal sense of something being within reach to its figurative meaning of practical utility.
Used to describe objects, skills, or resources that may become valuable unexpectedly. Common in everyday speech and informal contexts.