lift your hands

USAGE SUMMARY

"lift your hands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a command or instruction to someone to physically raise their hands. Example: "In yoga class, the instructor asked us to lift our hands above our heads for a shoulder stretch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Make sure to turn your shoulders fully, but don't necessarily lift your hands.

Independent

After all, building a new world requires you to lift your hands in the air.

The Guardian - Music

However, she added, "If you lift your hands when we're singing, we're not going to shoot you down".

The New York Times

There's not a separation in my mind between emotion and intellect". After all, building a new world requires you to lift your hands in the air.

The Guardian - Music

In lion, you lift your hands to your shoulders, spread your fingers wide like paws, bug your eyes, stick out your tongue and imitate a lion roaring with laughter.

The New York Times

Indeed, there are moments when Dirty Gold feels a little too mainstream for its own good, particularly towards the end, where the plangent piano ballads with Central Casting self-help lyrics lurk: "Keep your head up and be strong … Lift your hands towards the sky, woah-oh", and so on.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

So you stay bright enough to lift your hand and throw your money away, and drunk enough not to care.

The Guardian - Travel

"They made it clear: If you turn your head, if you lift your hand up, if you even say anything, they were going to beat you up".

The New York Times

They are: don't spin the wheels, don't cycle backwards, and lift your hand if you want someone to swap in for you.

The Guardian

Lift your hand in front of the screen, brush it from right to left (as if turning the page of a book), and the screen flips to the next step.

The New York Times - Food

When the Manchester United winger was sent off at Portsmouth last week for aiming a head-butt at Richard Hughes, Ferguson acknowledged: "The minute you lift your hand or motion towards someone with your head, you know the result".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to raise their hands, specify the height or purpose for clarity. For example, "Lift your hands to shoulder level" or "Lift your hands in praise".

Common error

Don't use "lift your hands" without providing context. It could be misinterpreted if the situation doesn't clearly indicate why someone should raise their hands. Always clarify the intention behind the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lift your hands" primarily functions as an imperative, instructing someone to perform the action of raising their hands. Ludwig shows this usage across various contexts, from exercise instructions to expressions of praise or surrender. This direct command form is straightforward and easily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lift your hands" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves primarily as an imperative, instructing someone to raise their hands. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile expression found in various contexts, including instructional guides, news reports, and even song lyrics. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for a wide range of situations. While widely understood, providing context ensures clarity and prevents misinterpretation. Alternative phrases such as "raise your arms" or "put your hands up" may be considered depending on the desired nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise your arms

This alternative focuses on the limbs used in the action, specifying arms instead of hands.

put your hands up

This is a common idiom, often used in situations requiring surrender or celebration.

extend your arms upwards

This phrase emphasizes the direction and extension of the arms, adding a descriptive element.

elevate your hands

This is a more formal way of saying "lift your hands", implying a deliberate raising action.

hold your hands aloft

This alternative conveys a sense of holding the hands high, often suggesting a triumphant or expressive gesture.

reach for the sky

This phrase suggests a more metaphorical or aspirational meaning, implying striving for something higher.

raise your palms

This specifies the orientation of the hands, emphasizing the act of showing or offering something.

outstretch your arms

Focuses on the outward extension of the arms rather than the lifting motion.

put your paws up

Playful alternative, imitating a lion roaring with laughter.

bring your arms up

This alternative is more descriptive on the motion of raising the arm.

FAQs

How can I use "lift your hands" in a sentence?

You can use "lift your hands" as an instruction during exercises, like "Lift your hands above your head for a good stretch", or in a song lyric, like "This is for everybody, just lift your hands to the sky".

What is a more formal way to say "lift your hands"?

A more formal way to say "lift your hands" is to use phrases like "raise your hands" or "elevate your hands", which sound more sophisticated in certain contexts.

Is it always appropriate to use "lift your hands"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In very formal settings, using more precise language like "extend your arms upwards" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "lift your hands" and "put your hands up"?

"Lift your hands" is a general instruction to raise your hands. "Put your hands up" often implies a specific context, such as surrender or enthusiastic participation in an event.