raise your hand — lift hand
collocationB1IELTS 4+neutralcommon
to lift your hand in the air, usually to show you want to speak or ask a question, especially in a classroom or meeting.
Say it like a native
Textbook Kindly elevate your hand should you wish to contribute.
Native Just put your hand up if you want to speak.
In everyday speech natives often say 'put your hand up'; 'elevate your hand' is comically formal.
Pattern: raise your hand (for/to do something)
In use
- If you have a question, please raise your hand.education
- In my school, students always have to raise their hand before speaking in class.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Raise up your hand if you agree.
✓ Raise your hand if you agree.
'Raise' means lift — don't add 'up' ('put your hand UP' is the version that uses 'up').
Common collocations
raise/put + hand— your hand, a hand, your hand up, if you know
Don't confuse it
Not to be confused with 'raise your hands' (plural), which can mean to surrender or give up in some contexts.