turned over the keys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turned over the keys" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of giving someone the keys to a property, vehicle, or other items, often indicating a transfer of responsibility or ownership. Example: "After the final inspection, the landlord turned over the keys to the new tenants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

When they turned over the keys, the building was still full of their junk: "Penthouse and Hustler and Playboy magazines, everything catalogued, from 1956 to 1982," Rosen said.

The New Yorker

For all the hallowed talk about senior leadership in college basketball, Cadillac teams in the women's N.C.A.A. tournament have largely turned over the keys to rookie drivers.

The New York Times - Sports

Thomas R. Lehman, a Miami lawyer who has been negotiating several friendly foreclosures, said many developers had already quietly turned over the keys to their projects.

The New York Times

— This was supposed to be the year the Masters went hip, celebrated youth and turned over the keys to Augusta National Golf Club to the plugged-in generation.

The New York Times - Sports

Players have attended community events, and in August 2009 the Jets organization turned over the keys to its state-of-the-art practice facility for a borough fund-raiser.

The New York Times

She agreed to leave the set behind and asked Mr. Higgins to leave a check at the apartment, which she would pick up before she turned over the keys.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He turned over the key containing the microfilm, described resistance activity and assessed as bleak the prospects of cooperation between the anti-Communist Polish underground and the partisans, who were sponsored by the same Soviets who in 1939 had joined Hitler in invading and dividing Poland.

The New York Times

Earlier in the day, forces loyal to Mr. Sadr said he had promised to "turn over the keys" of the sacred mosque to aides to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, building optimism about an imminent end to the two-week standoff between Mr. Sadr's guerrillas, American forces and the interim Iraqi government.

The New York Times

Like other national organizations, Rebuild is still struggling to figure out how to "turn over the keys" and let people take more ownership and bottom-up initiative.

Huffington Post

Most people opt to turn over the keys and get a new car, Ms. Wallis said.

The New York Times

As Ewing exits, he will turn over the keys to the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turned over the keys", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being transferred – whether it's literal keys to a property or figurative keys representing control or responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "turned over the keys" in contexts where a literal transfer of keys is expected but doesn't occur. Ensure the figurative meaning is clear to avoid confusion. For example, don't use it if you are literally just handing keys.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned over the keys" functions as an idiomatic expression signifying the transfer of authority, responsibility, or control from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used and understood in English, often appearing in contexts related to transitions and changes in leadership or ownership.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned over the keys" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the transfer of control, responsibility, or access. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct and understandable expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. While it doesn't literally refer to handing over physical keys, it paints a picture of delegation and transition. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly highlights the specific responsibility or control being transferred. Consider alternatives like "handed over the reins" or "relinquished control" for nuanced meanings. Overall, "turned over the keys" offers a concise and effective means of communicating a significant shift in authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transferred ownership

Directly indicates a change in ownership, often in a legal or business context.

transferred responsibility

Highlights the shift of duties or obligations from one party to another.

handed over the reins

Implies transferring control or leadership in a more formal context.

entrusted the management

Focuses on delegating the task of management or administration to someone else.

relinquished control

Focuses on the act of giving up control, often in a reluctant or forced manner.

ceded control

Similar to relinquishing control, often used in political or territorial contexts.

passed on the torch

Suggests a transfer of responsibility or legacy to a successor.

passed the baton

Another expression for transferring responsibility or leadership, often in a team or collaborative setting.

yielded authority

Highlights the surrendering of power or official authorization.

gave access to

Emphasizes granting access or entry, rather than a complete transfer of control.

FAQs

What does "turned over the keys" mean?

The phrase "turned over the keys" typically means to relinquish control or responsibility, often in a significant or formal way, such as handing over the management of a project or the leadership of an organization.

What can I say instead of "turned over the keys"?

You can use alternatives like "handed over the reins", "relinquished control", or "transferred ownership" depending on the specific context.

Is "turned over the keys" an idiom?

Yes, "turned over the keys" is an idiom. It's a figurative expression that doesn't literally mean handing over physical keys but rather transferring control or responsibility.

How to use "turned over the keys" in a sentence?

Example: "After ten years as CEO, she "turned over the keys" to her successor." This implies she relinquished her role and authority.