1 B1 idiomatic informal
To acknowledge that someone has done something particularly well or cleverly, sometimes despite your own rivalry or reluctance.
"I'll hand it to Tom — he managed to fix the entire system in under an hour."
inseparable
hand it to someone
B1 informal inseparable transitive
To give someone the recognition they deserve for doing something impressively well.
In plain English
To say someone really deserves praise for something they did.
What does "hand it to someone" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
This entry is the full form of 'hand it to', with 'someone' made explicit. The expression is almost always in the construction 'you have to hand it to [name/pronoun]'. The 'it' is idiomatic and refers to no specific object. Used across all English-speaking regions.
Words that pair with "hand it to someone"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
you have to I'll I must got to achievement
How to conjugate "hand it to someone"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hand it to someone
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hands it to someone
he/she/it
Past simple
handed it to someone
yesterday
Past participle
handed it to someone
have + pp
-ing form
handing it to someone
continuous
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Other ways to say "hand it to someone"
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acknowledge admire give credit to recognize salute tip your hat to
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