ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hand down

idiom
Meaning

To donate (as second hand.)


Examples
SIMPLE

I will hand down my old clothes to my younger brother.

CONTEXTUAL

Since my daughter has outgrown her winter coat, I plan to hand it down to our neighbor's child.

COMPLEX

The family tradition was to hand down the antique furniture through each generation, ensuring that the history of the items remained preserved within the household.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    back of one's hand

    A display of disrespect or scorn.

  2. 02

    bear a hand

    To make haste; to help quickly.

  3. 03

    big hand

    Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).

  4. 04

    bite someone's hand off

    To enthusiastically accept an offer.

  5. 05

    bite the hand that feeds one

    To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).

  6. 06

    cap in hand

    In a humble and respectful manner.

  7. 07

    cold hand

    Used in reference to a player who fails to make successful shots in a game.

  8. 08

    deal a bad hand

    To assign unfavorable circumstances in life to someone.

Last updated April 17, 2026