hands up

Idioms and Phrases

A direction or order to hold one's hands high, as in Hands up or I'll shoot! This imperative is used by police officers and criminals so that they can see if someone is holding a weapon. [Second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

After the Thursday prayer, the crowd of Congressional staff and lawmakers posed in the iconic, "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" pose.

From The Daily Beast

The pathologists suggested at a press conference on Monday that Brown might have been shot while surrendering with his hands up.

From The Daily Beast

Thankfully I got my hands up in time so I broke the windshield with my elbows instead of my face.

From The Daily Beast

He runs his hands up and down my hips then jerks me forward pressing his mouth against my belly.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, try running your hands up and down your partner's back.

From The Daily Beast

As the bright glow of a little cascade of sparks pierced the darkness, a voice in our rear called sharply: "Hands up!"

From Project Gutenberg

Use in packing a plank or board, placing it against the front of the tier and bring the ends of the hands up against it.

From Project Gutenberg

"You'd better keep those hands up," he went on quickly, as he saw the two rascals making a move as if to start something.

From Project Gutenberg

All at once I saw my comrade throw his hands up with a spasmodic gesture.

From Project Gutenberg

At two o'clock in the morning came the welcome order, "All hands up anchor!"

From Project Gutenberg