hand in

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle in

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Submit something formally to a person or office

Why “in”? An item, answer, or decision is given to a person, office, business, or system.

Maya handed in her library form at the front desk.
Maya submitted her library form at the front desk.
Hand in the form at reception.
Give the completed form to the receptionist.
2

Return found property to authorities

He handed the wallet in to the police.
He returned the wallet to the police as found property.
She handed the lost phone in.
She returned the lost phone as found property.

Don't confuse with

hand inhand out

Hand in means submit something formally to a person or office. Hand out means give something to several people.

hand inhand back

Hand in means return found property to authorities. Hand back means return something by giving it back.

Test yourself

Maya handed in her library form at the front desk. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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