# hand down

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hand-down
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to pass something like a skill, a story, or an object to a younger person in your family. You use this for things that have been in a family for a long time.

For teachers: To pass knowledge, traditions, or possessions from one generation to the next. The verb is transitive and frequently appears in the passive voice when discussing heritage.

## Examples

- My grandmother handed down this gold ring to me.
- These traditional recipes have been handed down through my family for over a hundred years.
- The master weaver sought a dedicated apprentice to whom he could hand down the intricate patterns perfected by his ancestors over several decades.

## Pitfalls

- Not "My mother handed down me her jewelry." but "My mother handed down her jewelry to me." — When the recipient is a person, it must follow the object and be introduced by the preposition 'to'.

## Usage notes

- The object usually refers to something of cultural, emotional, or material value.
- Teaching tip: Explain the physical metaphor of 'handing' something 'down' a family tree to help students visualize the generational movement.

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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.