to hang on

Examples

• All

• In the US, we too were now desperate to hang on to what we had worked so hard to earn.

  Academic text (2009)

• Hang on, hang on a minute before you say no.

• Now he had no choice but to hang on and make the best of it.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Everything's under control; just hang on a few more minutes, and I'll be right back, okay?

  Fiction book (1992)

• I keep thinking if I can hang on, things'll settle down.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Hang on... for a moment; I need to finish this message first.

• If you can... hang on a little longer, I will help you with your problem.

• She decided to... hang on through the tough times, hoping for a better future.

Synonyms

W

to wait

vsto hang on

∞ 1.0

To stay in one place or delay action until something happens

also can mean to persevere through difficulty rather than only physical waiting

S

to stick around

vsto hang on

• Informal

332 2.9

Stay in a place to wait for something

can mean a brief wait or endurance not physical lingering in one place

H

to hold on

vsto hang on

173 3.3

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

is used for brief waiting or general endurance rather than active determination

H

to hang in

vsto hang on

• Informal

167 3.6

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

also means to wait briefly or endure generally not only actively trying

S

to sit tight

vsto hang on

• Informal

80 3.7

To wait patiently and not act

also covers enduring difficulties or brief waits rather than only passive inaction

H

to hold off

vsto hang on

78 3.8

To wait before doing something

can mean waiting briefly or enduring hardship not only postponing action

H

to hold on a second

vsto hang on

• Informal

75 1.2

Ask someone to wait for a short time

also refers to enduring difficulties not just asking for a very short pause

W

to wait around

vsto hang on

• Informal

71 2.5

To spend time doing nothing while waiting for someone or something

can mean a short wait or enduring difficulty not merely idle time passing

W

to wait out

vsto hang on

42 4.3

Stay where you are until bad weather or danger passes

can mean short waits or active endurance not only waiting for troubles to pass

H

to hang tight

vsto hang on

• Informal

22 7.4

Wait patiently and stay calm during a delay

also means to persevere through difficulty rather than just calm waiting

S

to stay on the line

vsto hang on

18 3.0

To remain connected by phone while you wait for help

is broader meaning short waits or endurance rather than telephone-specific waiting

H

to hold out

vsto hang on

15 3.9

To last long enough when supplies or power are low

focuses on short waiting or general endurance not specifically lasting resources

H

to hold the line

vsto hang on

14 3.7

To wait on the phone without hanging up

is a general short waiting or endurance term not limited to telephone use

H

to hang about

vsto hang on

• UK

3 4.4

To stay in a place without a clear reason

can mean short waiting or enduring difficulty not purposeless lingering around

H

to hold one's horses

vsto hang on

• Informal

1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

can mean enduring difficulties or brief waiting not primarily an instruction

H

to hang fire

vsto hang on

• Informal

1 8.0

To delay making a decision or taking action

can mean brief waiting or persevering endurance not only simple postponement

U

until the last dog is hung

vsto hang on

• Informal

9.9

To keep supporting something until the very end, no matter how long it takes

is about short waiting or general endurance not guaranteed endless commitment

H

to hangfire

vsto hang on

9.9

To wait before acting and risk losing a chance

can mean brief waiting or endurance not harmful hesitation that loses opportunities

Antonyms

Q

to quit

653 1.5

To stop trying when something is too hard

G

to give in

220 3.0

To stop resisting and agree to what others want

How Persistent

to endure

304 3.5

to stick out

• Informal

6 4.9

to persevere

22 5.1

to hang on

• Informal

111 3.4

to hold on

• Informal

∞ 1.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology