hang on
hang on
1. verb To physically hold something. Hang on tight so that you don't fall.
2. To suspend something from some surface or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hang" and "on." We always hang our stockings on the mantle on Christmas Eve.
3. To wait. Often used as an imperative. Hang on, I can't find my keys in my bag. A: "There's a customer waiting." B: "She'll just have to hang on a minute."
4. To try to assign responsibility for something to someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hang" and "on." Don't hang our lateness on me—I was actually ready on time!
5. To persist. I don't know how much longer I can hang on without a job.
6. To depend on someone or something. Whether or not I enjoy this weekend hangs on what the doctor tells me when he calls.
7. To keep something for someone. Can you hang on to my mail until I'm back in town?
8. To wait on the phone. Please hang on while I transfer your call.
See also: hang, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hang something on someone or something
to drape or hook something on someone or something. (See also .) Hangthissign on Walter and see how he looks. Please hang this sign on the front door.
See also: hang, on
hang something on someone
Sl. to blame something on someone; to frame someone for something. (See also hang something on someone or something.) Don't try to hang the blame on me! The sheriff tried to hang the bank robbery on Jed.
See also: hang, on
hang on
(to someone or something) and hold on (to someone or something)1. Lit. to grasp someone or something. She hung on to her husband to keep warm. She sat there and hung on, trying to keep warm.
2. Fig. to detain someone or something. Please hang on to Tom if he's still there. I need to talk to him.
See also: hang, on
hang on
1. to wait awhile. Hang on a minute. I need to talk to you. Hang on. Let me catch up with you.
2. to survive for awhile. I think we can hang on without electricity for a little while longer.
3. [for an illness] to linger or persist. This cold has been hanging on for a month. This is the kind of flu that hangs on for weeks.
4. be prepared for fast or rough movement. (Usually a command.) Hang on! The train is going very fast. Hang on! We're going to crash!
5. to pause in a telephone conversation. Please hang on until I get a pen. If you'll hang on, I'll get her.
See also: hang, on
hang on
(someone's) every word Cliché to listen closely or with awe to what someone says. I am hanging on your every word. Please go on. The audience hung on her every word throughout the speech.
See also: hang, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
hang on
1. hang on to. Cling tightly to something, retain, as in Hang on to those papers before they blow away. [Mid-1800s] Also see hang on to your hat.
2. Continue persistently, persevere, as in This cough is hanging on much longer than I expected, or He was hanging on, hoping business would improve when interest rates went down. This usage was sometimes embellished to hang on by one's eyelashes or eyebrows or eyelids , meaning "to persist at any cost." [Second half of 1800s]
3. Keep a telephone connection open, as in Please hang on, I'll see if he's in. [First half of 1900s]
4. Wait for a short time, be patient, as in Hang on, I'm getting it as fast as I can. [First half of 1900s]
5. Depend on, as in Our plans hang on their decision about the new park. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]
6. Blame on, as in They'll try to hang that robbery on the same gang, but I don't think they'll succeed. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
7. hang one on. Get very drunk, as in Come on, let's go and hang one on. [Slang; mid-1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with hang on.
See also: hang, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
hang on
v.
1. To affix or mount something to some place or fixture that holds it and prevents it from falling: Please hang your hats on the hooks of the coat rack. I hung the picture on the wall.
2. To cling tightly to something: The cat hung on to the draperies until I was able to get it down.
3. To wait for a short period of time: Hang on, would you? I'll be there in a moment.
4. To continue persistently; persevere: The family is hanging on despite financial problems.
5. To depend on something or someone for an outcome: My whole future could hang on the results of this test.
6. To blame something on someone, especially unfairly: We lost the game, but you can't hang that on me.
See also: hang, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
hang something on someone
tv. to blame something on someone; to frame someone for something. Don’t try to hang the blame on me!
See also: hang, on, someone, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- add in
- a thing of the past
- add on
- a/the feel of (something)
- (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- a crack at (someone or something)
- all right
- (you) wanna make something of it?
- (something) is the new (something)