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]

---

Example Sentences

Burnham has accused the Mail of reporting a "partial version of events" and added: "They were all out of order and, if they had any decency, would now hold their hands up and apologise."

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Halliday: I am the Margaret Atwood No. 1 fan — I hold my hands up.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Nonetheless, don’t expect any team to start instructing its hitters to move their hands up off the knob.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

He said he stayed in lockdown for more than two hours when police stormed in, ordering everyone to put their hands up before escorting them out of the school.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

“Hey,” Ivan said, putting his hands up higher.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack