hand back
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To return (something) to where it came from.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
East Midlands Railway has confirmed that it will begin handing back its fleet of Class 222s to Eversholt Group, with three sets due to move between now and December.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To return (something) to a person.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “hand back” mean?
To return (something) to where it came from.
Is “hand back” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.