hang on

present singular third person hangs on · participle present hanging on · participle past hung on · past hung on

1. figurativelyidiomaticimperativeTo wait a moment.

   Hang on. Let me check.

2. figurativelyidiomaticTo hold, grasp, or grip.

   Hang on to the handle so you don't drop it.

   2 more examples

   "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.

   1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 271

   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.

   1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC

3. figurativelyidiomaticTo keep; to store something for someone.

   Hang on to my jacket until I get back.

   Synonyms: keep, store

4. figurativelyidiomaticTo pay close attention to, or regard with (possibly obsequious) admiration.

   The audience hangs on his every word.

   1 more example

   I'm stuck on your heart / I hang on every word you say

   1989, Mike Chapman, Holly Knight, “The Best”, performed by Tina Turner

5. figurativelyidiomaticTo continually believe in something; to have faith in.

   He's got a philosophy he hangs on to.

   Synonyms: keep faith

6. figurativelyidiomaticTo persevere.

   Just hang on and keep going; this pain won't last forever.

   2 more examples

   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

   1972, Lou Reed, “Perfect Day”

   Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way

   1973, “Time”, in The Dark Side of the Moon, performed by Pink Floyd

   Synonyms: hang in

7. figurativelyidiomaticTo depend upon.

   Everything hangs on whether the boss agrees.

   1 more example

   Medically, autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, hanging on a set of observed and reported behavioral characteristics.

   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

   Synonyms: hang upon

8. figurativelyidiomaticTo weigh down or oppress.
9. figurativelyidiomaticUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hang, on.