change hands

Idioms  

1. Pass from one owner to another. For example, This house seems to change hands every other year, or The contract is valid only when money changes hands. [Second half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

change hands

Major franchises — the Lakers, Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, to name a few — don’t change hands often.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

The company’s shares change hands for 21 times expected earnings, a 70% premium to Altria MO -0.21%decrease; down pointing triangle and BAT.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Money does not change hands among residents, not in its cooperative grocery store nor community canteen.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

A recent auction by specialist auction house Stanley Gibbons Baldwins saw over £1.5m in "Pokémon assets" change hands.

From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026

There was no need on either side—long or short—for cash to change hands.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis