Phrasal verb
hand out
Meanings
To give or distribute something to a group of people.
To give something officially, such as prizes, awards, or punishments.
Definition
To hand out means to give or distribute things to several people.
To hand out is to give something to people, usually one by one. It is often used for distributing papers, food, tickets, or supplies. It can also mean to give something officially, like awards or punishments.
Examples
- The teacher will hand out the worksheets at the start of class.
- I hand out snacks to the volunteers after the cleanup.
- They hand out free maps at the museum entrance.
- She handed out certificates to everyone who completed the course.
Common mistake
Learners often say "hand out to" (e.g., "hand out to students") when the object can come directly after the verb ("hand out worksheets").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.