put your hands up

USAGE SUMMARY

"put your hands up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a demand, such as in the sentence "The police told us to put our hands up". It can also be used figuratively, as in the sentence "Let's put our hands up and celebrate her success".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Put your hands up, fool!

The New Yorker

"We heard someone say, " 'Put your hands up!' " Brendan said.

The New York Times

"Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and put your hands up," Howard said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Better put your hands up when police says freeze Before they squeeze, But now I'm dead".

Independent

Lil Jon's lyrics implored clubgoers to dance, deploying an odd combination of exhortation ("Put your hands up! Put your hands up!") and insult ("You scared! You scared!").

The New York Times - Arts

Either you put your hands up and admit you were wrong.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Zito advised Mr. Karlin, "Put your hands up, your chin down and don't stop punching".

The New York Times

"He was telling him, 'Put your hands up,' and he wasn't doing it".

The New York Times

If you believe that, put your hands up in the air".

The New York Times

"Put your hands up," he said, and people more or less did that.

The New Yorker

Put Your Hands Up is Girls Just Wanna Have Fun in all but name.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "put your hands up" in writing, consider the context carefully. It can denote surrender, participation, or excitement, so ensure it aligns with the intended meaning and tone.

Common error

Avoid using "put your hands up" in formal or sensitive contexts where it might be misinterpreted as aggressive or flippant. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "raise your hands" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put your hands up" functions primarily as an imperative, directing someone to raise their hands. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it's used both as a command in confrontational situations and as an instruction for participation or celebration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

21%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put your hands up" is a versatile imperative with varied uses ranging from commanding surrender to encouraging participation. As highlighted by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness is undisputed, with a very common frequency across diverse contexts like news, media, and wikis. While generally neutral to informal, its specific connotation depends heavily on context, as it can signal anything from compliance to excitement. Due to its multiple potential interpretations, it's vital to consider the audience and situation when using the phrase, avoiding misinterpretations in more sensitive contexts. Ludwig’s analysis reaffirms the phrase’s widespread acceptance and adaptability in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone, hands up

Explicitly addresses a group, directing all individuals to raise their hands.

get your hands up

Similar in meaning, but adds a sense of urgency or encouragement.

raise your hands

A more literal and neutral way to instruct someone to elevate their hands.

hands in the air

Emphasizes the position of the hands being elevated, often in a celebratory or surrendering context.

stick 'em up

An informal, often humorous, command to raise one's hands, typically associated with old Westerns or playful scenarios.

show me your hands

A request to display one's hands, usually to ensure they are not holding a weapon or concealed object.

display your hands

A formal way to ask someone to show their hands, often used by law enforcement.

palms up

Focuses on the orientation of the hands, suggesting vulnerability or openness.

reach for the sky

An exaggerated command to raise one's hands high, often used in dance or motivational contexts.

hands up, don't shoot

A specific phrase related to protesting police brutality, indicating surrender.

FAQs

How to use "put your hands up" in a sentence?

You can use "put your hands up" in various contexts. For example, "The officer yelled, 'Put your hands up!'" or "If you agree, put your hands up".

What can I say instead of "put your hands up"?

You can use alternatives like "raise your hands", "hands in the air", or "stick 'em up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "put your hands up" or "raise your hand"?

"Put your hands up" is typically used when addressing a group or asking someone to raise both hands. "Raise your hand" is used for individuals raising a single hand, often to answer a question.

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

"Put your hands up" is a specific action indicating submission or participation. "Surrender" is a broader term implying defeat or yielding to an opponent or situation.