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

The Times obtained and reviewed security camera footage from the daycare center that morning showing C.K. approach a female employee with his hands up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

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

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

"Maybe I did it wrong, and I will absolutely throw my hands up in the air," Herring admits, before adding jokingly that, either way, it "may die a fiery death".

From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026

Gum Baby threw her little hands up with so much anger, sap flew across the stage.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia