hand on
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To give something to the next person so it keeps moving forward.
Literal meaning: To place something using your hand onto the next person or position.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To give something to the next person in a sequence or chain.
"Read the memo, then hand it on to the rest of the team."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To pass knowledge, skills, or traditions to others, especially the next generation.
"It is our responsibility to hand on these cultural traditions to our children."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
More common in British English than American English. Often implies a deliberate chain of transmission — handing a torch on, handing on a tradition. Less commonly used than 'pass on' but not rare in formal or literary contexts.
Commonly used with
tradition torch knowledge baton skills message
Forms
Base
hand on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hands on
he/she/it
Past simple
handed on
yesterday
Past participle
handed on
have + pp
-ing form
handing on
continuous
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Synonyms
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