1 A2 neutral
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."
separable
hand up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To pass something upward to someone above, or (slang) to inform against someone to authorities.
In plain English
To give something to someone above you, or to tell on someone to a person in charge.
What does "hand up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
(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."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
(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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use your hand to move something upward to someone at a higher position.
Actually means
To give something to someone above you, or to tell on someone to a person in charge.
Usage tip
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).
Words that pair with "hand up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
ladder evidence tool suspect accomplice
How to conjugate "hand up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hand up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hands up
he/she/it
Past simple
handed up
yesterday
Past participle
handed up
have + pp
-ing form
handing up
continuous
Hear "hand up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "hand up"
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Keep exploring
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