hand-off
Americannoun
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Football.
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an offensive play in which a player, usually a back, hands the ball to a teammate.
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the ball itself during the execution of such a transfer.
He fumbled the hand-off.
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Aviation. the condition or period in which control or surveillance of an aircraft is transferred from one control center to another.
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of hand-off
First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase hand off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He related the story of his botched hand-off on the podcast he hosts with his brother, “New Heights.”
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2025
Kevin Fitzgerald, former chair of the Golf Advisory Committee, said data reviewed by parks officials appeared to confirm the hand-off scheme.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2025
He also wondered if a change of strategy this close to a hand-off of the presidency was wise.
From Salon ● Nov. 23, 2024
Patient build-up was followed by a ferocious hand-off from Wales lock Teddy Williams to release Hamer-Webb, who beat three defenders and sprinted away to score against his old team.
From BBC ● Dec. 16, 2023
After Permian took over on downs on its 41, he took the hand-off and had clear sailing on the right flank.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
