hand over

hand over — phrasal verb

  • hand overbase form
  • hands over3rd person singular
  • handing over-ing form
  • handed overpast simple

1. to give something to someone by extending your hand with the object for them to

1.片語動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to give something to someone by extending your hand with the object for them to take

例句

Hiro handed over the house keys to the new tenant.

hand something over to somebody

The waiter handed over the menu and waited for their order.

同義詞
  • pass

    more casual; often implies a short distance between people

  • give

    more general; does not imply the hand-to-hand action

  • deliver

    implies transporting something to a destination, not necessarily by hand

文法句型

hand something over (to somebody)

hand over something

用法筆記

Frequently used with physical objects (keys, money, documents, packages). The recipient is typically specified with 'to'.

常見錯誤

❌She handed over it to the cashier.
✅She handed it over to the cashier.
💡When the object is a pronoun (it, them), place it between 'hand' and 'over'.

2. to give someone else control of a task, duty, or person, passing on both the aut

2.片語動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to give someone else control of a task, duty, or person, passing on both the authority and the responsibility that come with it

例句

Greta handed over the project to her assistant before going on leave.

hand over + task + to somebody

The clinic manager handed over all patient files to her successor on her last day.

同義詞
  • transfer

    more formal; common in business and legal contexts

  • delegate

    implies giving a task to a subordinate while keeping overall responsibility

  • entrust

    emphasizes trust in the person receiving the responsibility

文法句型

hand something over (to somebody)

hand over something

hand over to somebody

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person in authority or with responsibility. The object can be a person, a task, or an abstract concept like 'control' or 'power'.

常見錯誤

❌He handed over of his responsibilities.
✅He handed over his responsibilities.
💡'Hand over' takes a direct object; do not insert 'of' after the phrasal verb.

3. to formally give a person or item to the police, a court, or other authorities —

3.片語動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to formally give a person or item to the police, a court, or other authorities — often because the law requires you to

例句

Mark handed over the stolen documents to the police the next morning.

hand over + evidence + to the police

The border guards handed the smuggler over to federal agents.

hand somebody over (separated)

同義詞
  • surrender

    emphasizes giving up after resistance or under pressure

  • turn over

    similar meaning but more informal; common in American English

  • extradite

    specifically for sending a person to another country for trial

文法句型

hand somebody over to the police

hand something over to the authorities

hand over somebody/something

用法筆記

Object is often a person (suspect, prisoner, hostage) or physical evidence. The recipient is typically police, a court, or government authorities. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense implies a formal, often legal obligation to surrender.

常見錯誤

❌The lawyer handed the evidence to the court.
✅The lawyer handed over the evidence to the court.
💡Use 'hand over' (not plain 'hand') when the transfer to an authority is formal or legally required.