Hands up!

hands up

1. A command to surrender. Usually said by someone with a gun during a robbery or arrest. Hands up, Johnson! I've got you in my sights, and I'm not afraid to put you down if you won't come into custody quietly. Hands up—this is a stick-up! Hands up! We have you surrounded!

2. A signal that one agrees, intends to participate, or wants what someone is offering. OK everyone, hands up if you think we should move forward with this policy. Everyone who wants to come, hands up now. Kids, hands up if you have something to say—don't just yell out guesses!

See also: hand, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Hands up!

 and Stick 'em up!; Put 'em up!

Raise your hands in the air; this is a robbery! (Underworld and Old West.) Hands up! Don't anybody move a muscle. This is a heist. Stick 'em up! Give me all your valuables.

See also: Hand

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ˌhands ˈup!

(spoken)
1 used to tell a group of people to raise one hand in the air if they know the answer to a question, etc: Hands up all those who want to go swimming.
2 used by somebody who is threatening people with a gun to tell them to raise both hands in the air

See also: hand

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

Hands up!

and Stick ’em up!

exclam. Raise your hands in the air; this is a robbery! (Underworld and Western.) Hands up! Don’t anybody move a muscle. This is a heist. Stick ’em up, cowboy!

See also: Hand

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.