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hang

hang

56 5.6
A way of doing something that becomes easier with practice
  • noun
  • /hæŋ/
  • Informal
translation icon : truco
  • When I finally got the hang of it, I cast as far as I could.
  • get the hang of

I feel like I'm getting the hang of it, but the hang of it, Yeah.

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Examples

  • All right, we'll have lots more practice with this today and we'll get the hang of doing these problems.

  • You getting the hang of this thing?

  • Took me weeks before I got the hang of it.

  • He'll get the hang of it.

  • During my junior year at Oxford, I got the hang of the British way of doing things.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I think I'm getting the hang of this!

  • Eventually, even the most reluctant got the hang of Internet searching and began to enjoy it.

    Academic text (1998)
  • I'm starting to get the hang of it all now, though it hasn't been easy.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • You're finally gettin' the hang of it.

  • After several attempts, I finally got the hang of the rhythm and could dance confidently.

Synonyms

knack
vshang
75 3.9

A natural or learned ability to do something well

focuses on the particular method or technique used to achieve it
bent
vshang
5.7

A natural liking or talent for something like music

emphasizes a learned or practiced method rather than inborn inclination

Antonyms

177 2.8

Not able to do something you need to do

1 2.6

Lack of skill or care when handling things so mistakes happen

Idioms

To be in a situation where the result is not decided, for example a job or game

To listen very carefully to every word someone says

1 6.1

In a very dangerous situation where a small problem can cause everything to fail

to hang a Louie
  • Informal
1 9.9

Turn left while driving or riding a bike

to care a hang
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To feel no interest or worry at all about something

To start your own business as a professional

A strong feeling that people in a place notice and feel

1 7.7

To live in a place and make it your home

to give a hang
  • Archaic
9.3

To not care at all about something, used only in negative sentences

9.9

To not have enough evidence to prove someone is guilty or to take action

9.9

To throw up when you feel sick

to hang an arse
  • Offensive
9.9

To waste time instead of working

9.1

To be in a very risky situation and about to fail

Make a home and live in a place

Admire someone so much that you think they are perfect

To stop working in your job, especially as an athlete

To stop doing an activity, especially to stop playing music for good

7.7

To stop working after a long time

Compounds

hang-up
  • Informal
30 6.8

An emotional problem that makes someone feel nervous or unable to act normally

16 5.9

An unexpected problem that stops progress in a plan or process

4 4.6

A sport of flying a light aircraft without an engine launched from a hill or cliff

2 4.2

A light flying craft without a motor like a large kite that a person hangs under to fly

lever hang
  • Specialized
9.3

A position on gym rings where the body is held straight and horizontal

A person who flies a small craft like a kite while hanging below it

A position where you hang upside down from a bar or rings with your body straight

A body position with arms stretched backward while the body is held by a bar above

9.9

A position on rings where a gymnast hangs upside down with hips bent and legs straight

straight hang
  • Jargon
8.2

A position on rings or parallel bars with the body straight and arms at the sides

How Skilled

expert
3 3.5
hang
  • Informal
56 5.6
learner
67 1.0
novice
46 3.4

Surface Forms

hang singular
hangs plural

Etymology

Hang in the phrase 'get the hang of' is a helpful way to remember the noun sense meaning 'a way of doing something' — think of it as the way something 'hangs' on you, your personal fit or knack, so to get the hang is to learn that way.