Meaning trap
hand over
transfer responsibility (abstract)
to delegate or relinquish responsibility, authority, or a role to another person or group, often in a formal or organizational context.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to delegate or relinquish responsibility, authority, or a role to another person or group, often in a formal or organizational context.
'hand over' also has the more basic meaning 'give control or possession'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- After ten years as CEO, she decided it was time to hand over responsibility to a new generation of leaders.workplace
- In many organizations, it is essential to have a clear process for handing over authority to ensure continuity and avoid confusion during leadership transitions.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: hand over (responsibility/role/authority) (to someone)
WrongShe handed over her duties for the new manager.
RightShe handed over her duties to the new manager.
You hand over TO the person taking over, not 'for'.
Patternhand over (responsibility/role/authority) (to someone)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
At work people 'hand over' a role/project; 'formally transfer responsibilities' is HR-speak.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
hand over + roleresponsibilitythe projectcontrolto a colleague
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense, which focuses on physically giving something or control, this sense is abstract and emphasizes the transfer of responsibility or authority, often as part of a process or transition.
Related
- hand over (give control or possession) — 'hand over' also has the more basic meaning 'give control or possession'; this is the advanced sense.