hand off
1. verb To pass something (to someone else) by hand. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hand" and "off." The quarterback handed the ball off to the tight end. I'm positive that I handed off those documents to Martha earlier in the week. Once you guys are done signing Elaine's birthday card, hand it off to the Benefits team, OK?
2. verb To transfer ownership, control, or responsibility of something (to someone else). A noun or pronoun can be used between "hand" and "off." The CEO has indicated that he will be handing off control of the company to his son. I want to make sure this project is on schedule before I hand it off to my replacement. Can you finish inputting this month's data before you hand the report off to Angelina?
3. noun In American football, the act of the quarterback handing the ball to another offensive player. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated or written as a single word. That handoff was risky, Joe—what if you'd been sacked? Wow, with multiple defenders closing in on him, the quarterback somehow still completes the hand-off to the tight end! Well, I don't think the receiver bobbling—and ultimately dropping— the handoff is how the coach drew that play up.
hands off
An instruction for one to refrain from touching or handling (something or someone). (Usually said imperatively.) Hey, hands off those cookies, they're for after dinner! I have every right to be on this property, so hands off, fellas! That television is brand new, so hands off!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hand something off
(to someone) 1. Lit. to give a football directly to another player. Roger handed the ball off to Jeff. He handed off the ball. Tim handed it off.
2. Fig. to give something to someone else to do or complete. I'm going to hand this assignment off to Jeff. Don't hand off your dirty work to me—do it yourself!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
hands off
An order to stop touching or interfering with something, as in Hands off the cake, children! This idiom is also put as keep one's hands off, as in She knew she had to keep her hands off so he could learn to tie his shoes by himself. [Mid-1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.