hand down

To pass knowledge, traditions, or possessions to younger people who will continue to keep or use them.

• Families hand down their traditions.
• This ring was handed down to me by my grandmother.
• These stories have been handed down for centuries.

How to use it: hand something down to someone (Grandma handed her recipes down to us.); hand something down from someone (These songs were handed down from our ancestors.)

Similar words: pass down, transmit

Common phrases: hand down traditions, hand down stories

When a court does this, it officially announces its decision or punishment.

• The court handed down its decision.
• The judge handed down a heavy sentence yesterday.
• When will the final ruling be handed down?

How to use it: hand down a decision/sentence (The judge handed down a five-year sentence.)

Similar words: issue, deliver, pronounce

Common phrases: hand down sentences, hand down rulings

To give your used clothes or other belongings to someone else, often a younger family member.

• We hand down clothes to our cousins.
• His older brother handed down a bicycle to him.
• These shoes have been handed down twice.

How to use it: hand something down to someone (My sister handed her old coat down to me.)

Similar words: pass on, give away

Common phrases: hand down clothes, hand down toys

To send a higher court’s decision to the official responsible for carrying it out.

• The clerk handed down the decision.
• The appeal court’s judgment was handed down to the proper officer.
• Has the clerk handed down the ruling for enforcement?

How to use it: hand down something to someone (The clerk handed down the judgment to the responsible officer.)

Similar words: forward, transmit

Common phrases: hand down decisions, hand down judgments