To bear in hand Meaning, Definition & Usage

Definitions
  1. to keep (one) up in expectation, usually by promises never to be realized; to amuse by false pretenses; to delude. Obs. "How you were borne in hand, how crossed." Shak.
  2. to keep in expectation with false pretenses. Obs. Shak.
Definitions
  1. to keep in expectation with false pretenses. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913