2hand verb
hands; hand·ed; hand·ing [+ obj] : to give (something) to someone using your hands
▪ He handed her a letter. = He handed a letter to her. ▪ Hand me that picture.
▪ He handed her a letter. = He handed a letter to her. ▪ Hand me that picture.
hand back [phrasal verb]
hand (something) back or hand back (something) : to return (something) by handing it to someone
▪ He handed the letter back (to her) without reading it. ▪ The clerk handed back my credit card.
▪ He handed the letter back (to her) without reading it. ▪ The clerk handed back my credit card.
hand down [phrasal verb]
hand (something) down or hand down (something) 1 : to pass (something) from a person who is older (such as a parent) to a person who is younger (such as a child)
▪ She will hand the diamond ring down to her niece. ▪ The farm was handed down from generation to generation. 2 chiefly US, law : to form and express (a decision or opinion) in writing
▪ The Supreme Court has handed down its decision.
▪ She will hand the diamond ring down to her niece. ▪ The farm was handed down from generation to generation.
▪ The Supreme Court has handed down its decision.
hand in [phrasal verb]
hand (something) in or hand in (something) : to give (something) to a person who will review or accept it
▪ Students should hand their papers in on Thursday. ▪ He handed in his resignation.
▪ Students should hand their papers in on Thursday. ▪ He handed in his resignation.
hand it to
informal : to give credit to (someone) for doing something
▪ I've got to hand it to you. You did a great job planning the party.
▪ I've got to hand it to you. You did a great job planning the party.
hand off [phrasal verb]
hand (something) off or hand off (something) US : to give (something) to another person
▪ (American football) The quarterback handed off the ball to the halfback. ▪ She handed the job off to her assistant.
▪ (American football) The quarterback handed off the ball to the halfback. ▪ She handed the job off to her assistant.
hand on [phrasal verb]
hand (something) on or hand on (something) formal : to pass (something) from one person to another
▪ These stories have been handed on from generation to generation.
▪ These stories have been handed on from generation to generation.
hand out [phrasal verb]
hand (something) out or hand out (something) : to give (something) to several or many people
▪ They will hand out [=distribute] copies of the newsletter today. ▪ He's always handing out advice to the people he works with. ▪ She handed flyers out at the grocery store.
▪ They will hand out [=distribute] copies of the newsletter today. ▪ He's always handing out advice to the people he works with. ▪ She handed flyers out at the grocery store.
hand over [phrasal verb]
hand (someone or something) over or hand over (someone or something) : to give up control or possession of (something or someone)
▪ They demanded that he hand the documents over to them. ▪ They agreed to hand over their hostages.
▪ They demanded that he hand the documents over to them. ▪ They agreed to hand over their hostages.
