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hang on. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
hang on, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
hang on in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
hang on you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Verb
hang on (third-person singular simple present hangs on, present participle hanging on, simple past and past participle hung on) (idiomatic, figurative)
- (chiefly imperative) To wait a moment.
- Coordinate term: hang in
Hang on. Let me check.
- To hold, grasp, or grip.
Hang on to the handle so you don't drop it.
1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 271:"If you'll come along, then hang on!" said Hans, and the man had to hang on and limp along on one leg, whether he would or no; and when he tried to tear himself loose, he made it still worse for himself, for he was very nearly falling on his back whenever he struggled to get free.
1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:Old Applegate, in the stern, just set and looked at me, and Lord James, amidship, waved both arms and kept hollering for help. I took a couple of everlasting big strokes and managed to grab hold of the skiff's rail, close to the stern. Then, for a jiffy, I hung on and fought for breath.
- To keep; to store something for someone.
Hang on to my jacket until I get back.
- To pay close attention to, or regard with (possibly obsequious) admiration.
The audience hangs on his every word.
- To continually believe in something; to have faith in.
He's got a philosophy he hangs on to.
- To persevere.
- Coordinate term: hang in
Just hang on and keep going; this pain won't last forever.
1972, Lou Reed (lyrics and music), “Perfect Day”:It's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spend it with you / Such a perfect day you just keep me hanging on / You just keep me hanging on
1973, “Time”, in The Dark Side of the Moon, performed by Pink Floyd:Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
- To depend upon.
- Synonym: hang upon
Everything hangs on whether the boss agrees.
2021 April 29, Gemma L. Williams, Tim Wharton, Caroline Jagoe, “Mutual (Mis)understanding: Reframing Autistic Pragmatic “Impairments” Using Relevance Theory”, in Frontiers in Psychology, volume 12, →DOI:Medically, autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, hanging on a set of observed and reported behavioral characteristics.
- To weigh down or oppress.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hang, on.
Synonyms
Translations
to keep; to store something for someone
to pay close attention to, or regard with admiration
continually believe in something
See also
Anagrams