hand down
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle down
Meanings
Pass on knowledge, possessions or traditions to younger people
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“The recipe was handed down by Grandma.”
“The watch was handed down to my father.”
(of a court) deliver a formal verdict or sentence
Why “down”? A structure, a system, or someone's mood can go down when it fails.
“The judge handed down a long sentence.”
“The court handed down its decision.”
Don't confuse with
Hand down means pass on knowledge, possessions or traditions to younger people. Hand out means give something to several people.
Hand down means pass on knowledge. Hand on means pass something to the next person.
Hand down means pass on knowledge. Hand off means pass responsibility or a task to someone else.
Test yourself
“The recipe was handed down by Grandma.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hand off
A contrast learners often mix up
Pass responsibility or a task to someone else
hand on
A contrast learners often mix up
Pass something to the next person
hand out
A contrast learners often mix up
Give something to several people; Give a punishment, advice or judgement
hand round
A contrast learners often mix up
Pass something from one person to another in a group
back down
Same down pattern: losing
Withdraw from a position
bear down
Same down pattern: downward
Move quickly and threateningly toward someone
beat down
Same down pattern: downward
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
bend down
Same down pattern: downward
Lean the upper body downward
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