手てに落おちる

expression, ichidan verb

fall into someone's hands; come under someone's control; become someone's property

Used when something or someone ends up in another's possession or power, often with a nuance of being captured, seized, or obtained by the other party. Can apply to objects, territory, or people.

• 敵てきの秘ひ密みつ文ぶん書しょが我われ々われの手てに落おちた。

  The enemy's secret documents fell into our hands.

• その土と地ちは結けっ局きょく、開かい発はつ業ぎょう者しゃの手てに落おちた。

  The land eventually fell into the hands of developers.