English Reference

Phrasal verb

hand out

Definitions

01to distribute

A2 · Elementary

phr.v. to give something to everyone in a group.

phr.v. to distribute items to a group of people, typically by hand. This phrasal verb is separable.

“The teacher started to hand out the exam papers at exactly nine o'clock.”

“Volunteers spent the afternoon handing out flyers to commuters near the station to raise awareness for the local charity event.”

Usage

The verb is separable; you can say 'hand out the papers' or 'hand the papers out'.

Pitfall

The teacher handed out them to the students.

The teacher handed them out to the students.

When the object is a pronoun like 'them' or 'it', it must go between 'hand' and 'out'.

Teaching tip

This is very common in educational and office contexts. Remind students that 'pass out' is a synonym but can also mean to lose consciousness.

Synonyms

distributegive outpass out

Antonyms

collectgather

02to deliver a formal decision

C1 · Advanced Law Formal

phr.v. to officially give a punishment or a decision.

phr.v. to deliver a formal judgment, sentence, or piece of advice, often from a position of authority.

“The judge will hand out the sentence for the crime tomorrow morning.”

“The tribunal is expected to hand out a significant fine to the corporation for its repeated violations of environmental safety regulations.”

Usage

Often used with 'sentence', 'punishment', or 'justice' as the object.

Teaching tip

This sense is much more formal than the 'distribute' sense and is usually found in news reports about court cases.

Synonyms

administerdeliverimpose

Teaching tip

contrast with 'give out' (very similar) and 'distribute' (more formal); 'hand out' specifically implies the physical act of passing items from one person to others.

Phrasal verb

Particles

out

Separability

optional

Pattern

hand + (object) + out

Synonyms

give outpass outdistributeallocate

Antonyms

collectgathertake back

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-2
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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