hand-off

or hand·off

[ hand-awf, -of ]

noun

1. Football.
   1. an offensive play in which a player, usually a back, hands the ball to a teammate.
   2. the ball itself during the execution of such a transfer:

      He fumbled the hand-off.

2. Aviation. the condition or period in which control or surveillance of an aircraft is transferred from one control center to another.

hand-off

noun

1. the act of warding off an opposing player with the open hand

verb

1. tr, adverb to ward off (an opponent) using a hand-off

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand-off¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase hand off

Example Sentences

The sight of their hand-off hug all but defined the phrase “power couple.”

From Los Angeles Times

The consensus, he said, is hope for “a seamless hand-off from the Biden campaign to the Harris campaign.”

From Los Angeles Times

Peltz and others pointed to the bungled hand-off to parks head Bob Chapek as proof that Disney’s board of directors, who oversee the succession process, weren’t up to the job.

From Los Angeles Times

Watson, the spokesperson for the city recreation department, said this type of hand-off “technically hasn’t been proven yet” but vowed that officials will scrutinize the data.

From Los Angeles Times

Patient build-up was followed by a ferocious hand-off from Wales lock Teddy Williams to release Hamer-Webb, who beat three defenders and sprinted away to score against his old team.

From BBC