to hand
- verb
- /hænd/
Examples
-
We will bring your kittens and hand them to you because that's really cool.
-
The man got out, opened the hatch, growled something unintelligible, and then handed me my bag.
Academic text (2017) -
The recruiter slaps Forrest on the shoulder and hands him some military literature.
Fiction book (1994) -
When Molly unwrapped the toy, she looked at it and smiled, handing the handwritten IOU to Mom.
Fiction book (1996) -
He reached out to hand me his notebook as I entered the classroom.
-
The teacher decided to hand the students their exam papers one by one.
-
As she struggled to climb the steps, I quickly went to hand her a steadying hand.
Synonyms
To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure
To help someone with something or to clap to show appreciation
To help someone with a task
Hold someone's arm to help or guide them while walking
To give someone support with a task or problem
To offer help or friendship by reaching out your hand to someone
Antonyms
Idioms
To do something with your hands, for example writing or making things, instead of with a machine
- Informal
To put someone into a bad or difficult situation because of bad luck
- Informal
In a humble and respectful way when you ask for something or admit a mistake
- Offensive
A rude phrase with a hand gesture that tells someone you will not listen
- Informal
Calm, skilled control of a team or company in difficult times
- Offensive
A rude way to say someone is in an embarrassing situation and unprepared
- Informal
Put someone into a difficult situation they cannot control because of bad luck
Phrasal Verbs
- Specialized
Move an active call or data connection from one cell tower to another to keep service working
Compounds
- Offensive
A sexual act where one person uses a hand to touch a man's penis for pleasure
- Informal
A way of showing too much worry by repeatedly twisting or clasping the hands
A thing you hold and use with your hands, not powered by a machine, like a hammer or screwdriver
Striking the palms of your hands together repeatedly to show approval or admiration
- US
A secret criminal group that extorted people and used violence in Italian American neighborhoods
A form of football where another player stops someone by touching them with both hands
How Supportive
Surface Forms
Etymology
Hand as a verb meaning to guide comes from using your hand to lead or help someone move, so to 'hand' someone through a crowd is to guide them by the arm or hand.