have (got) to hand it to someone idiom meaning
Have (got) to hand it to someone (idiom)
Definition: To acknowledge or admit the skill, success, or merit of someone, often despite any previous doubt or criticism.
Usage: Used when giving someone the credit they deserve for an achievement or accomplishment. It’s often employed even when the speaker does not particularly like the person or when they have otherwise been critical of them.
Example Sentences:
- I didn’t think he could pull it off, but you have to hand it to him, he did a great job with that project.
- She wasn’t the most popular candidate, but you’ve got to hand it to her for running such a clever campaign.
Etymology: This idiom originates from the 19th century, where “hand it to” someone colloquially meant to give someone their due credit or acknowledgment.
Pronunciation: /hav (gɑːt) tə hænd ɪt tuː ˈsʌmwʌn/
Synonyms:
- Give credit to someone
- Acknowledge someone’s efforts
- Recognize someone’s achievement
- Tip one’s hat to someone
Antonyms:
- Disregard someone’s success
- Overlook someone’s merit
- Fail to acknowledge
- Ignore
- I really have to hand it to Sarah; her presentation was outstanding and impressed everyone in the room.
- After seeing how well he handled the difficult situation, I must have to hand it to Mark for his quick thinking.
- Even though I disagree with his methods, I have to hand it to him for achieving such remarkable results.
- Although she’s tough on her team, you have to hand it to her for always delivering top-notch projects.
- I have to hand it to the coach; his strategy during the final game was brilliant and led us to victory.
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