to panhandle for

1 8.2

To ask strangers on the street for money

phrasal verb
/ˈpænˌhændl fɔr/

Informal

: pedir limosna

She felt ashamed to be panhandling for food, but she had no other options.

Examples

You don't think I'm going around panhandling for you, do you?

It Happened One Night (1934)
He spent the afternoon panhandling for change outside the subway station.
During his travels, he often found himself panhandling for money in busy city streets.

Synonyms

to beg

vsto panhandle for

153 1.0

Ask someone humbly for money or food, often in public

is narrower, focused on asking strangers on the street

to hand out

vsto panhandle for

Informal

14 5.5

To ask people for money or help expecting to receive it

is specific to requesting money from strangers on the street

to panhandle

vsto panhandle for

Informal

7 7.5

To ask people in public for money

is used without the following preposition, showing same action

to ask for change

vsto panhandle for

3 4.4

To request small amounts of money from people on the street

is wider, seeking money from strangers not limited to coins

to have one's hand out

vsto panhandle for

Informal

1 8.8

To ask people for money by showing you need it

is about asking strangers in public rather than expecting support

Antonyms

to give

∞ 1.0

To hand something to someone, for example a present

to donate

457 2.7

Give money, things, or time to help a charity

Surface Forms

panhandle for infinitive

panhandled for past

panhandled for past participle

panhandling for present participle

panhandles for third person singular

Morphology

panhandle + for

The verb 'panhandle' already means 'solicit money from strangers', and the particle 'for' clearly marks the thing being requested (e.g. 'for spare change'), so the combined meaning is directly derivable from the constituents. This follows a common verb + for pattern (similar to 'ask for'), so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Panhandle for: One popular story says the verb panhandle for comes from beggars holding out a pan or cup to collect coins, with the pan's handle giving a clear image of asking for money. That's why panhandle for means 'to ask strangers for money'.