ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hand it to someone

idiom
Meaning

To give somebody credit or praise.


Examples
SIMPLE

I have to hand it to you, that was a great idea.

CONTEXTUAL

Even though I disagreed with his methods, I have to hand it to him for finishing the project on time.

COMPLEX

While their initial strategy seemed doomed to fail, one must hand it to the team for their remarkable resilience in overcoming such significant obstacles.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    back of one's hand

    A display of disrespect or scorn.

  3. 03

    bear a hand

    To make haste; to help quickly.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  5. 05

    big hand

    Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).

  6. 06

    bite someone's hand off

    To enthusiastically accept an offer.

  7. 07

    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).

  8. 08

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

Last updated April 17, 2026