hand up

verb

handed up; handing up; hands up

transitive verb

of a jury
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority

Examples of hand up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Police stopped the Honda sedan, and he was seen in a dashcam video coming out of the car with his hands up in the air. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 Muslims who are peace-loving and helpless also need a hand up. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 In one shot captured on video, a victim appears to crouch down with his hands up and apparently pleads for their life, Philadelphia Police Capt. — Kelsie Cairns , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The reporters and military members were part of a convoy being escorted onto the base by uniformed public affairs staff in a government minivan when they were suddenly ordered out of their vehicles with their hands up, according to news reports. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand up

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand up was in 1970

Rhymes for hand up

See All Rhymes for hand up

Browse Nearby Words

hand tub
hand up
hand vise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20up. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

hand up

transitive verb
: to deliver (an indictment) to a judge or higher judicial authority
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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