1 B1 neutral
To pass a task, project, or case to another person to continue.
"Before she left the company, she handed off all her clients to a colleague."
separable
hand off
B1 neutral separable transitive
To pass responsibility, a task, or an object directly to another person.
In plain English
To give a task or object to the next person who will deal with it.
What does "hand off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(American football) To give the ball directly from the quarterback to another player.
"The quarterback handed off to the running back, who gained fifteen yards."
separable
3 B2 neutral
(Medical/Service) To transfer care of a patient or customer to another professional.
"The night nurse handed off the patients to the day shift with a full briefing."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use your hand to move something off (away from yourself) to another person.
Actually means
To give a task or object to the next person who will deal with it.
Usage tip
Originally from American football, where a quarterback hands the ball to a running back. Now widely used in business and tech (e.g. 'hand off a project', 'hand off a patient'). More common in American English than British English, where 'hand over' is preferred.
Words that pair with "hand off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
project patient baton ball client case responsibility
How to conjugate "hand off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hand off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hands off
he/she/it
Past simple
handed off
yesterday
Past participle
handed off
have + pp
-ing form
handing off
continuous
Hear "hand off" in the wild
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