What does the word "hand down" here really mean?
travel ban was part of the verdict handed down on Sollecito.
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
A verdict is normally a decision by a court of law.
Idiomatically, a verdict is not just delivered, it is "handed down" (I guess from the (high) bench behind which the judges would be seated).
the verdict handed down on Sollecito
Is the legalise (legal language) for
the decision (verdict) that a court made and announced (handed down) regarding (on) Sollecito
-
1+1 for idiomatically. I imagine the phrase originated from a time when a judge would literally hand down (that is, reach down with his hand) the verdict on paper. Now, the two-word phrase could be roughly equated with "announce".– J.R. ♦Jan 31, 2014 at 10:29