Meaning & use
hand over the money
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Give the money to someone, often used as a demand in a robbery or a forceful request.
Grammar: Used as a complete command or as part of a sentence: He told the clerk to hand over the money.
Patterns
- hand over the money
- hand the money over
The robber shouted, "Hand over the money!"
She demanded that he hand over the money he owed her.
In the movie, the bank teller was told to hand over the money.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Pay what you owe, sometimes used in a less serious or joking way.
Grammar: Often used between friends when someone owes a small amount: Come on, hand over the money.
Patterns
- hand over the money
- hand the money over
You lost the bet, so hand over the money!
He finally handed over the money after weeks of excuses.
Common combinations
- hand over the money
- The thief told everyone to hand over the money.
- hand the money over
- He refused to hand the money over.
- demand someone hand over the money
- They demanded that she hand over the money.
- hand over the money to someone
- She handed over the money to the cashier.
Synonyms and how they differ
- give the money
- Give the money is neutral and can be used in any situation; hand over the money often suggests reluctance or force.
- pay up
- Pay up is informal and means to pay what you owe, often after being reminded; it does not always involve physical money.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'hand over the money' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Hand over the money' means to give money directly to someone, often under pressure. Option 1 is correct because it describes a robber demanding money. Option 2 is wrong because handing over money to a bank to save it is not the same as giving it to someone. Option 3 is wrong because investing is not handing over money. Option 4 is wrong because putting money in a savings account is not handing it over.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hand over the money”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.