change hands

phrase

: to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another
The property has changes hands many times.

Examples of change hands in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to Hunt Auctions, the jersey was originally purchased from the Bulls by a private collector in 2003 and has changed hands only once since that initial purchase. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 No money changes hands between CNBC and our data partner AccuPoint Solutions, or between CNBC and AccuPoint employees. — Kelli Grant, Cfp®,riley De León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 The Studio City lot where Seinfeld and Gilligan’s Island filmed is close to changing hands for the second time since 2021 after Hackman defaulted earlier this year on more than $1 billion in debt tied to the property. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Its founders say plates worth $463 million have changed hands in three years, and that the market is growing by about 20% a year. — semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for change hands

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of change hands was in 1614

Rhymes for change hands

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Browse Nearby Words

change gear
change hands
change horses in midstream
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Change hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change%20hands. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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