handout

hand out

1. verb To distribute something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hand" and "out." Volunteers will come around and hand out pamphlets before the lecture. Please raise your hand, and we will hand out pencils to anybody who needs one. You didn't get a permission slip? Why, I handed them out earlier.

2. verb To provide or share something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hand" and "out." When do you think the boss will hand out a decision on this issue? I don't see how the league can hand out a suspension on a play that was clearly an accident. The judge is expected to hand out a decision on the case today.

3. noun A paper or papers that are to be distributed to a group. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Volunteers will come around with hand-outs before the lecture begins. Did everyone get the hand-out titled "Working with the Quadratic Equation"? I just need to photocopy this hand-out before my Brit Lit class this afternoon.

4. noun Something given as aid to a person in need. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Ever since I lost my job, I've had to rely on hand-outs from the government. A: "No, come on, I'm no charity case. I don't want a hand-out." B: "This isn't a hand-out, OK? It's a loan—one I fully expect you to pay back when you can." Sometimes, in life, things are so bad that you have no choice but to accept hand-outs from anyone willing to help.

See also: hand, out

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

hand something out

 (to someone)

1. to give something out to someone. The judge was known for handing heavy fines out. She handed out large fines to everyone.

2. to pass something, usually papers, out to people. The teacher handed the tests out to the students. Please hand out these papers.

See also: hand, out

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

hand out

Distribute, as in The teacher handed out the test papers. [Late 1800s] For a synonym, see pass out, def. 1.

See also: hand, out

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.

hand out

v.

1. To distribute something freely; disseminate something: He handed out flyers in the street all morning. I gave the flyers to the volunteer and told her to hand them out quickly.

2. To administer or mete something: It seemed like the jury handed out an arbitrary verdict. The judge is known for handing tough sentences out to juvenile offenders.

See also: hand, out

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

handout

1. n. a gift of money, food, or other goods to a needy person. (Often in the negative, as in the examples.) Give him a handout and send him on his way.

2. n. an informational sheet of paper “handed out” to people. As you can see on your handout, 40 percent of those who started never finished.

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