Under control (2,4)
(Other definitions for in check that I've seen before include "Under control" , "Restrained" , "State of chess king under direct attack" , "Attacked" .)
'under control' is the definition.
(synonyms)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for in hand that I've seen before include "Cards are often" , "receiving attention" , "available" , "already accumulated" , "In the process of being dealt with" .)