What does "hand back" mean (sense 1)?

To physically give something back to its owner or the person who gave it to you. Example: "The teacher handed back the graded essays at the start of class."

What does "hand back" mean (sense 2)?

To return authority, control, or responsibility to a previous holder. Example: "After the peace agreement, the territory was handed back to its original government."

What does "hand back" mean (sense 3)?

(Broadcasting) To pass control of a programme back to the main presenter or studio. Example: "The field reporter finished her segment and handed back to the anchor in the studio."

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hand back

A2 neutral separable transitive

To return something to the person it belongs to or came from.

In plain English

To give something back to the person who owned it or gave it to you.

What does "hand back" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 neutral

very common

To physically give something back to its owner or the person who gave it to you.

"The teacher handed back the graded essays at the start of class."

separable

2 B1 neutral

common

To return authority, control, or responsibility to a previous holder.

"After the peace agreement, the territory was handed back to its original government."

“

"Britain handed back Hong Kong to China in 1997 after more than 150 years of colonial rule."
— BBC News, 1997

separable

3 B2 neutral

common

(Broadcasting) To pass control of a programme back to the main presenter or studio.

"The field reporter finished her segment and handed back to the anchor in the studio."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To use your hand to move something back to where it came from.

Actually means

To give something back to the person who owned it or gave it to you.

Usage tip

Very common in classroom and office contexts (handing back marked papers, ID, equipment). Also used in broadcast contexts where a presenter passes back to a studio anchor. Widely used in both British and American English.

Words that pair with "hand back"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

passport paper test control microphone keys

How to conjugate "hand back"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

hand back

I/you/we/they

3rd person

hands back

he/she/it

Past simple

handed back

yesterday

Past participle

handed back

have + pp

-ing form

handing back

continuous

Hear "hand back" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "hand back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "hand back"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

give back pass back restore return send back

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "hand" All phrasal verbs with "back" More A2-level phrasal verbs