hand up
To give something to someone above you, or to tell on someone to a person in charge.
Meanings
To pass or lift something to someone who is above you or in a higher position.
"Hand up those tiles — I'm on the roof and I can't come down."
(Slang, American) To inform on someone to authorities; to betray someone by reporting them.
"His own partner handed him up to the police to avoid a longer sentence."
(Legal, American) To return a formal indictment. Used when a grand jury formally charges someone.
"The grand jury handed up an indictment against the former official."
Has two distinct uses. The literal sense (passing something upward) is straightforward and rare compared to 'hand in'. The slang sense (to inform on someone) is mainly American and informal. Also used as a noun/adjective phrase 'hands up' meaning to raise both hands (in surrender or in voting).
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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