# trade hands

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/trade-hands
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To change ownership.

## Examples

- This old house will soon trade hands.
- The famous painting is expected to trade hands at the auction later this evening.
- After decades of remaining within the same family, the historic estate finally traded hands following the patriarch's passing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.