hand out
A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To give things to a group of people, one at a time.
Literal meaning: To use your hand to move something outward to people around you.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To give something to each person in a group.
"Volunteers handed out free sandwiches to the homeless."
Grammar: separable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To give advice, criticism, or punishment to people.
"The judge handed out heavy fines to everyone involved in the scam."
Grammar: separable
3 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To provide financial assistance or charity to people.
"The government was accused of handing out money without proper controls."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
One of the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English. Used for flyers, food, advice, punishment, and more. The noun form 'handout' (one word) refers to a leaflet or financial aid. Common in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
flyer leaflet food advice punishment sentence prize
Forms
Base
hand out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hands out
he/she/it
Past simple
handed out
yesterday
Past participle
handed out
have + pp
-ing form
handing out
continuous
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Synonyms
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