raise one's hand

gesture communication

The gesture of 'raising one's hand' is widely used in classrooms, meetings, and various group settings to signal a desire to speak, participate, or show agreement.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

A2Classroom

(common)To lift one's hand to indicate a desire to ask a question or make a comment.

Example

Students should raise their hands if they want to ask a question.

B1Meetings

(common)To elevate one's hand to show agreement or to vote.

Example

Please raise your hand if you agree with the proposal.

B2General

(figurative)To volunteer for a task or admit to something.

Example

Who wants to help with the event? Please raise your hand.
I'll raise my hand and admit that I made a mistake.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "raise one's hand":

put one's hand up put one's hands up hands up extend one's hand raise one's eyebrows throw hands hold someone's hand shake hands lift a finger give someone a hand join hands throw up one's hands talk to the hand run hands give paw sit on one's hands with one hand pump someone's fist lift up running hand put one's hands on raised fist