hand down

hand down — phrasal verb

  • hand downbase form
  • hands down3rd person singular
  • handing down-ing form
  • handed downpast simple

1. To give something — such as a physical object, a skill, a tradition, or a piece

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

To give something — such as a physical object, a skill, a tradition, or a piece of property — to a younger member of your family or community so that they keep or use it after you.

例句

Aaron's grandmother handed down her antique jewelry collection to him before she passed away.

hand down + concrete possession + to + person

In many cultures, parents hand down traditional recipes to their children through hands-on teaching.

hand down + abstract/cultural possession (traditions)

同義詞
  • pass on

    More general — can be used across generations or to peers; less formal.

  • bequeath

    Strictly legal, used in wills and formal inheritance contexts only.

  • leave

    Broader — can mean to give by will or to simply not take something; does not specifically imply a younger recipient.

反義詞
  • dispose of

    To get rid of something rather than pass it to the next generation.

文法句型

hand + noun phrase + down + to + person

hand down + noun phrase + to + person

用法筆記

Commonly used in the passive voice: 'The family estate was handed down from father to son.' The indirect object (the recipient) usually follows the preposition 'to'.

常見錯誤

❌She handed down her son the watch.
✅She handed down the watch to her son.
💡'hand down' needs 'to' before the recipient.
❌He handed down his clothes to charity' (when meaning donating to strangers).
✅He handed down his clothes to his younger cousin.
💡'hand down' implies a younger generation within the family, not a general donation.

2. For a judge, jury, or governing body to formally pronounce or deliver a decision

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

For a judge, jury, or governing body to formally pronounce or deliver a decision, judgment, sentence, or ruling within legal proceedings.

例句

The judge handed down a sentence of fifteen years for the financial fraud case.

hand down + a sentence (criminal penalty)

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court handed down its decision on environmental protections.

同義詞
  • pronounce

    More formal; often used in legal or ceremonial contexts ('pronounce sentence').

  • deliver

    Neutral register, used both in court and general official settings.

  • issue

    Broad — can refer to any official document or statement, not just court rulings.

反義詞
  • withhold

    To keep back a decision rather than announce it.

文法句型

hand down + a decision/ruling/sentence/verdict

用法筆記

Almost exclusively used in formal or legal writing. The subject is usually a judge, a court, a jury, or a governing body. Only this sense of 'hand down' is used in court contexts; the PASS ON sense would be inappropriate there.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher handed down a test score.
✅The teacher announced the test scores.
💡'hand down' is too formal for everyday school settings.