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Glite Dictionary
to hand in

to hand in

41 2.5
Give a document, for example an assignment, to someone in charge
  • phrasal verb
  • /hænd ɪn/
translation icon : entregar
  • I suppose Carson will hand in his notice.

My third book needs to be finished and handed in at the end of this month.

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Examples

  • You must hand in your final report by Friday to receive credit for the course.

  • The interviewers also wrote a reflection paper that was handed in to the course instructor.

    Academic text (2004)

  • So we want the work you hand in to be your own.

  • I have two classes and... and I have to hand in a project.

    Obsession: Stalked by My Lover (2020)

  • My third book needs to be finished and handed in at the end of this month.

    Zoe Sugg

  • Frank just handed in his resignation.

    Captured (1998)

  • Please hand in the homework assignments so I can get them done and grade submitted.

  • I'm gonna hand in 90 pages to Marla on Friday.

    Limitless (2011)

  • - Okay, guys, don't forget to hand in your coursework, and I'll see you next week.

    Demons Never Die (2011)

  • Some CEOs may be clueless, but most are working hand in hand with HR to make businesses better.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

to file
vsto hand in
  • Formal
∞ 3.7

To officially give a document to a court or other authority

is about giving something to authority rather than official recording
to submit
vsto hand in
  • Formal
325 3.7

To give a form or application for someone to consider

is about giving something to an authority rather than seeking approval
to deliver
vsto hand in
  • Formal
313 3.0

To hand someone or something to another person, an authority

emphasizes transfer of possession rather than formal presentation for approval
to send in
vsto hand in
241 2.3

To give something to an organization by mail or email

means giving it directly to an authority, not using mail or electronic channels
to pass in
vsto hand in
  • UK
23 3.4

Give something to a teacher or official for them to check

is focused on giving directly to an authority rather than for inspection

Antonyms

to withhold
210 5.1

Refuse to give something someone wants or needs

to retain
60 3.0

To hold something inside so it does not escape

How Official

to file
  • Formal
∞ 3.7
to submit
  • Formal
325 3.7
to pass in
  • UK
23 3.4
to hand in
41 2.5
to give
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hand in infinitive
handed in past
handed in past participle
handing in present participle
hands in third person singular

Morphology

hand + in

The meaning 'to submit' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'hand' (to give or pass an item) with 'in' (into someone's possession/authority). This phrasal construction maps clearly onto the literal idea of giving something into another's custody and is a common, compositional pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer.

Etymology

The phrasal verb hand in comes from the simple picture of giving something with your hand straight in to another person's hands or into an official box at a desk. So, to hand in something means 'to give or submit it to a teacher, office, or person in charge'.