hands up

Idioms  

1. A direction or order to hold one's hands high, as in Hands up or I'll shoot! This imperative is used by police officers and criminals so that they can see if someone is holding a weapon. [Second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hands up

She stopped in the middle of the woods during a walk, looked with disapproval at my light jacket, and threw her hands up in mock confusion, surveying the snow-encrusted pines.

From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026

After the Mercedes swung around and law enforcement vehicles surrounded it, the driver stepped out with his hands up — only to swiftly step back inside.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

“I immediately ducked down, put my hands up, and covered my head,” she said.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

He held both hands up as if to challenge skeptics to count his fingers.

From Barron's ● Apr. 2, 2026

Behind Tano, Autumn puts her hands up and makes the pump-the-brakes motion.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer