Dictionary: letter H
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hand in [hand something in] (work, essay, assignment, paper, form, homework, application, notice, resignation, petition, keys, money, weapons) give something to someone 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.
- She handed in her notice at work after receiving an offer for a new job.
hand on 1 [hand something on] (custom, story, clothes, knowledge, responsibility) give something to someone 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) give or pass something to someone who is next to you hand down, pass on
- He read it and handed it on to me.
hand out [hand something out] (leaflets, books, food, newspaper, quiz) give something to a group of people; distribute it. Give out
- Mary, could you help me hand out the photocopies, please?
- He was handing out free tickets for the concert.
- He was handing out free newspapers in the subway.
hand over [hand something over] (money, gun, prisoner, control, power, responsibility) give something to someone 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 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 out (insep) spend time somewhere or with a group of people
- I figured hanging out at a bar over a couple of beers would be best
- It was nice to just hang out at a bar.
hang up 1 (phone) finish a phone conversation
- She hung up on me.
- Don't hang up; I need to speak to your sister.
2 [hang something up] (picture, coat) put something on a wall or hook
- Hang up your coat and come and join us.
have back 1 [have someone back] have someone return after they've been away.
- It so nice to have you back, love.
2 [have something back] (money) get something 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 get your revenge.
have on 1 wear [have something on] (clothes) be wearing something
- Can you remember what the suspect had on when he ran out of the bank?
2 use (radio, TV) use; be using something
- Mama often had the radio on as she did her housework and almost always sang along.
3 joke [have someone on] try to make someone believe something that is not true to have a laugh
- Are you having me on?
head back go (insep) go back; return
- It's time to head back to school!
head off 1 go (insep) go somewhere
- We said our goodbyes and he headed off in the other direction.
2 prevent [head off something] (criticism, disaster, crisis, threat, quarrel, disagreement) prevent something unpleasant from happening fend off, stave off, ward off
- The United States proposed a compromise to head off a trade war with the EU.
hit back [hit back at someone, hit back at something] (insep) (critics, claims, comments) defend yourself against their criticism or attacks
- She has hit back at critics who say she doesn't spend enough time with her daughter.
- Scientists hit back at claims global warming projections are greatly exaggerated.
- She has defended her new music video, hitting back at comments accusing her of racism.
idiom hit it off [hit it off with someone] (insep) meet someone, like them and start having a good relationship with them immediately
- I met a guy recently and we really hit it off.
hold back 1 control [hold something back] (emotions, anger, frustration, tears, temper, information, evidence, ideas, crowds, enemy) control something 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.
2 delay (progress, project, development) delay or prevent development.
- Lack of access to electricity is holding back economic development in many African countries.
hold down 1 [hold something down] (job) keep something for a certain period of time
- The march held up traffic in the city centre but there was no trouble or arrests.
2 (prices, wages) keep something low.
- Too much supply and weak demand could hold down prices.
- Please hold on a moment.
- All our lines are busy, but please hold on.
hold up 1 delay [hold someone up, hold something up] (traffic, bad weather) delay someone or something
- The march held up traffic in the city centre but there was no trouble or arrests.
2 rob (bank) rob
- Armed robbers held up the bank and escaped with £20,000.
3 remain strong despite the circumstances
- She seems to be holding up. I can't believe she's taking it so calmly.
hose down [hose something up] (car, place) clean with water using a hose wash down
- They hose the place down every night.
- Hose down the car, from top to bottom.
- Hurry up! We're going to be late.
hush up [hurry something up] prevent the public from knowing about something. cover up
- The government is doing everything they can to hush up the case.
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