Phrase guide

raise one's hand

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see raise, hand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She raised her hand to touch his face.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To use the gesture (either literally or figuratively) in order:

To volunteer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The sergeant asked for someone to cross the minefield, and Private Muggins raised his hand.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To use the gesture (either literally or figuratively) in order:

To vote; to indicate agreement or approval.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • "Who wants more money?" asked the trade union boss. All the men raised their hands.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To use the gesture (either literally or figuratively) in order:

To ask a question or make a request.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The President said that he would now take questions, and several reporters raised their hands.
  • Little Timmy raised his hand to go to the toilet.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To assault physically, notionally with the hand or fist.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: often

Examples

  • A man should not raise his hand against his wife.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: nostaa kätensä — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • German: aufzeigen — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • Hungarian: jelentkezik — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • Polish: zgłaszać się — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • Polish: zgłosić się — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • Tamil: கைதூக்கு (kaitūkku) — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • Turkish: el kaldırmak — to volunteer by lifting one's hand
  • Hungarian: kezet emel — to assault physically, notionally with the hand or fist
  • Polish: podnosić rękę — to assault physically, notionally with the hand or fist
  • Polish: podnieść rękę — to assault physically, notionally with the hand or fist
  • Tamil: கையோங்கு (kaiyōṅku) — to assault physically, notionally with the hand or fist