Can 'hand-me-down' be used for things other than clothes?

Yes, while most common for clothing, it can refer to any used item passed on, like toys, furniture, books, or even ideas and traditions.

Is 'hand-me-down' a negative term?

It can be, implying something is worn or less desirable, but it is often used neutrally or even positively to describe practicality, thrift, or family tradition.

What is the difference between 'hand-me-down' and 'secondhand'?

'Hand-me-down' specifically implies a personal chain of ownership (e.g., within a family). 'Secondhand' is broader, meaning previously owned by anyone, often acquired from a shop or stranger.

Is there a verb 'to hand-me-down'?

No. The related action is described by the phrasal verb 'to hand down' (e.g., 'She handed down her old violin to her niece').

hand-me-down

UK/ˌhænd mi ˈdaʊn/US/ˌhænd mi ˈdaʊn/

Informal, colloquial

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

An item, especially a garment, that has been passed from one person to another, typically after being outgrown.

Anything used secondhand or inherited from a previous owner, especially when it shows signs of wear or is considered inferior or outdated.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Most commonly used as a noun but can function as an attributive adjective (e.g., hand-me-down clothes). Almost always implies a hierarchy (from older to younger sibling, from wealthier to poorer relative) and can carry connotations of being used, worn, or not new.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. The hyphenated form is standard in both, though 'handmedown' or 'hand me down' may be seen informally.

Connotations

Slightly more common and natural in American English family contexts. In British English, 'cast-off' is a near-synonym with similar frequency.

Frequency

Moderately common in both varieties, with a slight edge in frequency in American English.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

clothestoysfurniturejacketdress

medium

bicyclebookscoatsystemtradition

weak

ideaspoliciesequipmentculture

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[adj] hand-me-down [noun][noun] is a hand-me-down from [person]to wear hand-me-downs

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

cast-offhanded-down

Neutral

cast-offsecondhand itempassed-down

Weak

inherited itemused itempre-owned

Vocabulary

Antonyms

brand newstore-boughtcustom-madebespokefirst-hand

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[not a source idiom, but related] Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth (antithetical concept)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare. Potentially metaphorical for outdated technology or practices inherited from a predecessor.

Academic

Rare, except in sociological contexts discussing material deprivation or family resource sharing.

Everyday

Very common in family and personal contexts discussing clothing, toys, or possessions.

Technical

Not used.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

N/A – The verb form is the phrasal verb 'hand down'.

American English

N/A – The verb form is the phrasal verb 'hand down'.

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

She grew up wearing hand-me-down frocks from her cousins.
The hand-me-down laptop was slow but got the job done.

American English

He never had new jeans, just hand-me-downs from his brother.
They furnished the apartment with hand-me-down couches and chairs.

Examples

By CEFR Level

My coat is a hand-me-down from my sister.
The children share hand-me-down toys.

I rarely bought new clothes as a child; I mostly wore hand-me-downs.
This bookcase is a hand-me-down from our old neighbours.

Despite coming from a wealthy family, she was dressed in hand-me-downs to teach her humility.
The company's IT infrastructure is just a collection of hand-me-down systems from various mergers.

The policy was a hand-me-down from the previous administration, largely discredited but never formally repealed.
He viewed the traditional values not as timeless wisdom but as intellectual hand-me-downs in need of critical examination.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a parent's HAND literally ME placing a sweater DOWN into a younger child's hands.

Conceptual Metaphor

POSSESSIONS ARE TRANSFERABLE OBJECTS (along a vertical hierarchy).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct calques like '*рукой-мне-вниз'. The correct equivalent is 'поношенная (передаваемая) вещь', 'одежда старших детей'.
The phrase implies a sequence of ownership, not a single act of giving.

Common Mistakes

Using it as a verb phrase ('He hand-me-downed his coat') is non-standard. The verb form is 'to hand down'.
Confusing it with 'hand-down' as in a judicial ruling ('a hand-down decision').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

As the youngest of five, all his clothes were from his older siblings.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses 'hand-me-down' correctly?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, while most common for clothing, it can refer to any used item passed on, like toys, furniture, books, or even ideas and traditions.
: It can be, implying something is worn or less desirable, but it is often used neutrally or even positively to describe practicality, thrift, or family tradition.
: 'Hand-me-down' specifically implies a personal chain of ownership (e.g., within a family). 'Secondhand' is broader, meaning previously owned by anyone, often acquired from a shop or stranger.
: No. The related action is described by the phrasal verb 'to hand down' (e.g., 'She handed down her old violin to her niece').