hand down

to give a formal decision.

• The judge handed down a sentence of five years hard labor.
• The judge made no bones about his disgust with the accused's actions and handed down the severest sentence possible.
• The Prime Minister said that he didn't want to pre-empt the findings of the inquiry by making any policy changes before its recommendations were handed down.

to transmit to the next generation.

• We must hand down our craft to posterity.
• The story was handed down from father to son.
• A cultural heritage is handed down to posterity.
• This watch was handed down to me by my grandfather.
• Needless to say, fear of war has to be handed down.
• These legends should be handed down to our offspring.
• Culture is handed down from generation to generation.
• These paintings were handed down to me from my father.
• The custom was handed down from generation to generation.
• A mysterious legend has been handed down about this lake.
• This custom has been handed down from generation to generation.
• This ceremony has been handed down from generation to generation.
• These old customs have been handed down from generation to generation.
• Myths and legends should be handed down from generation to generation.
• Experience can't be handed down â€â€ everyone has to come up with their own.
• Phrases heard in children's games can be handed down for generations after their meaning has been forgotten.