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What is "to have one's handful"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To have one's handful

handful \hand"ful\ (h[a^]nd"f[.u]l), n.; pl. handfuls (h[a^]nd"f[.u]lz). [AS. handfull.]

  1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
    --Addison.

  2. A hand's breadth; four inches. [Obs.]

    Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom.
    --Bacon.

  3. A small quantity or number.

    This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.
    --Fuller.

  4. A person, task, or situation, which is the most that one can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful.

    To have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have all one can do. [Obs.]

    They had their handful to defend themselves from firing.
    --Sir. W. Raleigh.