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Meaning trap

hand in

resign formally

to formally give notice to your employer that you are leaving your job, especially by submitting a written resignation or notice.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

resign formally

to formally give notice to your employer that you are leaving your job, especially by submitting a written resignation or notice.

hand in (submit work)

'hand in' also has the more basic meaning 'submit work'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • After much consideration, she decided to hand in her resignation and pursue a new career path.work
  • If employees are dissatisfied with their working conditions, they may choose to hand in their notice rather than remain in an unfulfilling role.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: hand in your notice/resignation/letter

WrongShe handed in her job last week.

RightShe handed in her notice last week.

You hand in your NOTICE or resignation, not your 'job'.

Patternhand in your notice/resignation/letter

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I have decided to formally tender my resignation.

Natural I've decided to hand in my notice.

'Hand in your notice' is the everyday phrase for resigning. 'Tender my resignation' is very formal/written.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • hand in + notice
    my noticeher resignationyour badgethe letter

Don't confuse it

This sense is different from the B1 sense of 'hand in' (submit work), as it refers specifically to resigning from a job, not submitting assignments or documents for review.

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