hand up for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hand up for" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey raising a hand to indicate agreement or to ask a question, but it is not a commonly recognized expression. Example: "If you agree with the proposal, please raise your hand up for a vote."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(I was the only woman called on to ask a question, and that was after having my hand up for 20 minutes).

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Karlsson, who paid $4,500, said that he would not put the hand up for sale, that it was going to become a family heirloom.

The New York Times

That means not just putting a fist in the face of the world's bad guys, but also offering a hand up for the good guys.

The New York Times

"When you see people at the end of their life dancing they really are putting a hand up for life," said the choreographer Richard Alston, who turned up himself to inspect a late rehearsal of the piece.

Independent

On a separate note, there is one day left to vote for your favorite social enterprise or nonprofit in the Hand Up for Social Good Award competition!

Forbes

On a separate note, there is one week left to vote for your favorite social enterprise or nonprofit in the Hand Up for Social Good Award competition!

Forbes

Update: A great humanitarian friend has generously pledged $500 as a second prize for the Hand Up for Social Good contingent upon getting another 500 total votes by the end of February!

Forbes

Third, you need balance, whether it's a hand up for the common guy or a regulation for big business.

Huffington Post

"This would be a hand up for our kids". If the bills are signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis, however, Santa Ana still faces obstacles.

Los Angeles Times

Cuomo gave voice to the voiceless, spoke for the dispossessed, and believed in a government that could provide a hand up for those left behind.

Huffington Post

"I put my hand up for this".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "hand up for" is commonly used, especially in informal contexts, consider using more grammatically standard alternatives like "raise your hand for" or "put your hand up for" to maintain clarity and professionalism in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hand up for" in academic papers or formal business communications. This phrase is generally considered grammatically incorrect and may detract from the credibility of your writing. Prefer “raise your hand for” or “volunteer for”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand up for" functions as a prepositional phrase often used to indicate volunteering, expressing interest, or nominating oneself for something. Although Ludwig AI considers the phrase not correct, its widespread usage is undeniable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "hand up for" is very common, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered grammatically standard English. It is frequently used in news and media to express volunteering, interest, or nomination. More appropriate alternatives include "raise your hand for", "put your hand up for", or "volunteer for", especially in formal contexts. Despite its widespread usage, it's essential to be mindful of the context and audience when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise your hand for

Focuses on the physical act of raising a hand to indicate a vote or opinion.

put your name forward for

Implies formally nominating oneself for a position or opportunity.

volunteer for

Suggests offering oneself willingly for a task or role.

nominate oneself for

Indicates a more formal self-nomination.

signal interest in

A more general way of expressing a desire to participate.

express interest in

Similar to 'signal interest in' but slightly more emphatic.

indicate availability for

Highlights being ready and able to take on something.

make oneself available for

Similar to 'indicate availability for' but with more emphasis on the action.

show willingness to

Emphasizes one's readiness and enthusiasm.

offer one's services for

Suggests a formal offering of one's skills or help.

FAQs

What does "hand up for" mean?

While not strictly grammatically correct, "hand up for" usually means to volunteer, nominate oneself, or express interest in something. A more appropriate alternative is "raise your hand for".

Is it correct to say "hand up for"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "hand up for" is not considered standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "raise your hand for" or "put your hand up for".

What can I say instead of "hand up for"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "volunteer for", "nominate oneself for", or simply "express interest in".

Which is more appropriate, "hand up for" or "raise your hand for"?

Raise your hand for is generally considered more grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "hand up for" is common, it's not considered standard English.