Hand over: meaning, definitions and examples

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hand over

 

[ หˆhรฆnd หˆoสŠvษ™r ]

Phrasal verb
Context #1 | Phrasal verb

transfer

To give someone else control or responsibility for something.

Synonyms

give up, pass on, surrender.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hand over

When transferring possession or control of something to someone else. Often used with physical objects or responsibilities.

  • She handed over the keys to the new owner.
  • The manager handed over the project to his assistant.
give up

When stopping an activity or letting go of a possession, often because of difficulty or defeat. It has a slightly negative connotation of failure or reluctance.

  • He decided to give up smoking.
  • After hours of searching, they had to give up the hunt.
pass on

When transmitting or delivering information, objects, or responsibilities to another person. It can also mean declining something or suggesting a refusal politely.

  • Please pass on the message to the rest of the team.
  • Grandma passed on her treasured recipe to my mother.
surrender

When yielding or giving up control, often in the context of conflict, competition, or admitting defeat. It has a strong negative connotation of losing or submitting.

  • The enemy army had no choice but to surrender.
  • He surrendered his license after the incident.

Examples of usage

  • Please hand over your passport at the border.
  • I will hand over the project to you once I finish my part.
Context #2 | Phrasal verb

surrender

To give yourself up to the authorities.

Synonyms

surrender, turn oneself in.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hand over

Used when giving something to someone, typically in a transfer of possession or control.

  • Please hand over the documents before leaving the office.
  • He had to hand over the car keys after getting caught speeding.
surrender

Used primarily in situations involving conflict or competitions where someone is giving up or yielding, often seen in military or competitive contexts. This word can also carry a negative connotation of defeat or loss.

  • The army had no choice but to surrender after being surrounded.
  • She decided to surrender the game after realizing she couldn't win.
turn oneself in

Used when someone voluntarily goes to the authorities, usually the police, to admit involvement in a crime or to comply with legal proceedings.

  • After years on the run, he decided to turn himself in to the police.
  • She knew it was the right thing to do, so she turned herself in.

Examples of usage

  • The criminal finally decided to hand himself over to the police.
  • If you hand yourself over now, the punishment may be less severe.

Translations

Translations of the word "hand over" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น entregar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅŒเค‚เคชเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รผbergeben

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menyerahkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะตั€ะตะดะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przekazaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅผ•ใๆธกใ™ (hikawasu)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท remettre

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ entregar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท teslim etmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋„˜๊ฒจ์ฃผ๋‹ค (neomgyeojuda)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุณู„ู… (yusallim)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™edat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ odovzdaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไบคๅ‡บ (jiฤochลซ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ predati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ afhenda

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐะฟัั‹ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ“แƒแƒชแƒ”แƒ›แƒ (gadacema)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tษ™slim etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ entregar

Etymology

The origin of the phrase 'hand over' can be traced back to the 17th century, where it was used in the context of transferring control or responsibility from one person to another. The verb 'hand' originally comes from Old English 'hand', meaning the part of the human body at the end of the arm. 'Over' is a Middle English word derived from Old English 'ofer', meaning above or across. Over time, 'hand over' has become a common phrasal verb in the English language.