# hand back

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hand-back
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to return something to the person who gave it to you or who owns it.

For teachers: to return an object to its original possessor or to the person who distributed it; often used in educational or administrative contexts.

## Examples

- Please hand back your tests at the end of the lesson.
- The teacher will hand back our graded essays on Monday morning.
- After the security guard finished inspecting the passport, he handed it back to the traveler with a nod of approval.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He handed back it to me." but "He handed it back to me." — when the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must go between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- usually used with physical objects like papers, books, or identification.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'give back'; 'hand back' often implies a more formal distribution and collection process, like in a classroom or office.

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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.