hand up

verb

handed up; handing up; hands up

transitive verb

of a jury
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority

Examples of hand up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The driver gets out and puts his hands up and is taken into custody. Nbc News, NBC news, 12 June 2025 According to the video, the man repeatedly refused to listen to officers’ directions to put his hands up, walked toward them and tugged multiple times at his right-hand side pocket, where the firearm could been seen sticking out. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025 The department also argued that the indictment, filed in September, was handed up too close to the election. Jared Gans, The Hill, 25 May 2025 The one who needs a hand up, a better fit, or simply a chance. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hand up

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand up was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20up. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

hand up

transitive verb
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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