Phrasal Verb Dictionary: Letter H

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T W Z

Hand in [Hand something in].- (work, essay, assignment, paper, form, application, notice, resignation, petition, keys, money, weapons, tickets) When you hand something in, you give it to somebody in charge. Give in

The minister handed in his resignation when it was known that he was implicated in the scandal.
The Guerrilla have agreed to hand in their weapons.
You can hand in your homework on Monday.

Hand on [Hand something on].- 1 (custom, story, clothes, knowledge, responsibility) When you hand something on, you give it to somebody who is younger or who comes later.

Over the course of time, the story was handed on verbally from one generation to another, until the time came when the people were able to read and write.

2 (photograph, magazine) When you hand something on, you give it to somebody who is next to you: Hand down, pass on

Hand out [Hand something out].- (leaflets, books, food) When you hand something out, you distribute it. Give out

Mary, could you help me hand out the photocopies, please?
He was handing out free tickets for the concert.

Hand over [Hand something over].- (money, gun, prisoner, control, power, responsibility) When you hand something over, you it to somebody else so that they take control.

Have things changed since the hand over of sovereignty from the British to Chinese?

Hang about/around.- The same as hang around.

There was a group of young people hanging around on the corner of the street.
You should allow your son to hang around in the street after dark.

Hang on.- (insep) When you hang on, you wait. Hold on

Hang on a minute; I need to talk to you.
( on the phone ) I'm afraid he's busy at the moment; would you like to hang on?
I can't hang on any longer; I'm in a hurry.

Hang up.- (phone) When you hang up, you finish a phone conversation.

She hung up on me.
Don't hang up; I need to speak to your sister.

Hang up [Hang something up].- (picture, coat) When you hang something up, you put it on a wall or hook.

Hang up your coat and come and join us.

Have back [Have somebody back].- When you have somebody back, they return after having left.

It so nice to have you back, love.

Have back [Have something back].- (money) When you have something back, somebody gives it back to you. Give back

It seems like a fair deal to me. Anyone who is not happy with that can have their money back.

Idiom > Have your own back: When you have your own back, you get your revenge.

Have on [Have something on].- 1 (clothes) When you have something on, you are wearing it.

Can you remember what the suspect had on when he ran out of the bank

2 (radio, TV) When you have something on, it's switched on and you are using it.

Mama often had the radio on as she did her housework and almost always sang along.

Have on [Have somebody on].- When you have somebody on, you try to make them believe something that is not true to have a laugh.

Are you having me on?

Head off.- (insep) When you head off somewhere, you go in that direction.

We said our goodbyes and he headed off in the other direction.

Head off [Head off something].- prevent (criticism, disaster, crisis, threat, quarrel, disagreement) When you head off something unpleasant, you prevent it from happening. Fend off, stave off, ward off

The United States proposed a compromise to head off a trade war with the EU.

Hold back [Hold something back].- (emotions, anger, frustration, tears, information, evidence, ideas, crowds, enemy, progress, project) When you hold something back, you control it or keep it secret. Keep back

He pressed his lips together, trying to hold back his emotions.
We are certainly not in any way trying to hold back any information.

Hold on.- (insep) When you hold on, you wait.

Please hold on a moment.
All our lines are busy, but please hold on.

Hold up [Hold somebody up, hold something up].- 1 (traffic, bad weather) When something holds somebody or something else up, it delays it.

The march held up traffic in the city centre but there was no trouble or arrests.

2 (bank) When criminals hold up a bank, they rob it.

Armed robbers held up the bank and escaped with £20,000.

Hold up.- When somebody or something holds up, they remain strong.

She seems to be holding up. I can't believe she's taking it so calmly.

Hurry up.- (insep) When you hurry up, you go faster.

Hurry up! We're going to be late.

Hush up [Hurry something up].- When you hush something up, you prevent the public from knowing about it. Cover up

While accusations continued that the State Government was doing everything to hush up the case, the authorities have decided not to speak.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T W Z

For other verbs and to get more examples search the corpus