hand over

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle over

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Give something to someone, especially with formality

Why “over”? Something moves from one person or side to another.

Leo handed over his bank card at the cafe counter.
Leo gave his bank card to the cafe worker.
Hand over the keys.
Give the keys to me now.
The driver handed over his licence.
The driver gave his licence to someone in authority.
Hand over your weapons.
Surrender your weapons by giving them to me.
Maya handed over the office presentation remote to Leo for the demo.
Maya gave the office presentation remote to Leo for the demo.
2

Surrender control or power to someone else

The CEO handed over to her successor.
The CEO transferred control to her successor.
Before I left, I handed my projects over to a colleague with clear notes.
Before I left, I gave my colleague control of my projects and left clear notes.

Don't confuse with

hand overhand off

Hand over means give something to someone, especially with formality. Hand off means pass responsibility or a task to someone else.

Test yourself

Leo handed over his bank card at the cafe counter. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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