Meaning & use
hand them over
Last updated
“hand them over” is a form of “hand over”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phrasephrasal verb
To give something to someone else, especially officially or when you are told to.
Grammar: With a pronoun object, put it between hand and over: hand them over. A full noun can go before or after over: hand the files over / hand over the files.
Patterns
- hand something over
- hand something over to someone
- hand over something to someone
The officer asked the driver to hand them over — his license and registration.
She found the lost wallet and handed it over to the police.
Please hand your passports over to the clerk at the desk.
phrasephrasal verb
To give up control of something, such as power or a position, to another person or group.
Grammar: Often used without a direct object, or with 'to': hand over to someone.
Patterns
- hand over to someone
- hand something over to someone
The manager will hand them over to her replacement next week.
After the election, the party handed power over to the new government.
He refused to hand them over — the documents stayed in his office.
Common combinations
- hand over the keys
- He handed over the keys to the new owner.
- hand over control
- The company handed over control to a new board.
- hand over power
- The dictator finally handed over power.
- hand over documents
- She was ordered to hand over the documents.
Synonyms and how they differ
- give
- More general and neutral; 'hand over' often suggests a transfer that is official, required, or reluctant.
- surrender
- Stronger and more formal; used when someone gives something up because they have no choice.
- turn in
- Often used for returning something to an authority, like a report or a weapon.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: hand them over or hand in?
hand them over vs hand in
Means to give something to a person in charge, like homework or a form. 'Hand over' is broader and often suggests giving up control.
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
With a pronoun object like 'them', the pronoun must go between 'hand' and 'over': handed them over. Option A puts the pronoun after 'over', which is wrong with pronouns.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hand them over”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.