hand down

hand something down (to someone)

1. Lit. to pass something to a person on a lower level. Hand this wrench down to the man under the sink. Please hand down this wrench.

2. Fig. to give something to a younger person. (Either at death or during life.) John handed his old shirts down to his younger brother. I hope my uncle will hand down his golf clubs to me when he dies.

3. Fig. to announce or deliver a (legal) verdict or indictment. The grand jury handed seven indictments down last week. The jury handed down a guilty verdict.

See also: hand

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hand down something also hand something down

1. to give something to a younger member of a family Fewer and fewer small farms are handed down from one generation to the next. My grandfather handed his toy trains down to my father.

Usage notes: sometimes said about people who are not related: He believes that confidence cannot be handed down from your coach or anyone else.

2. (slightly formal) to announce a decision in a trial After a three-month trial, the jury handed down a guilty verdict.

Related vocabulary: hands down

Etymology: both meanings come from the idea of someone older or in authority literally handing something to someone smaller or less important

See also: hand