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Difference between Change hands and Pass from hand to hand

change hands—(of money, property, etc.) pass from one person’s possession to another’s:

  • Scanlons used to be a really good pub but it has just changed hands, so I am not sure any more.

pass from hand to hand—(of leaflets, etc.) continuously pass from one person to a series of other persons:

  • She watched the note as it passed from hand to hand down the rows until it finally reached her desk.