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to hang an arse

to hang an arse

9.9
To waste time instead of working
  • idiom
  • /hæŋ ən ɑːs/
  • Offensive
translation icon : hacer el vago
  • Whenever there's a deadline, he tends to hang an arse instead of working efficiently.

Examples

  • Stop hanging an arse and help us clean up the house!

  • She always hangs an arse when there's work to do.

  • She admitted that she hung an arse all weekend and got nothing done.

  • Don't hang an arse all day!

  • She admitted that she hung an arse all weekend and got nothing done.

  • Stop hanging an arse and help us clean up the house!

  • Whenever there's a deadline, he tends to hang an arse instead of working efficiently.

Synonyms

to stall
vsto hang an arse
166 4.3

To delay doing something on purpose to get more time

is more about idle laziness and slow behaviour than strategic delaying
to hang back
vsto hang an arse
34 4.6

To hesitate and stay behind the group

is lazy inaction rather than cautious hesitation or retreat
to procrastinate
vsto hang an arse
26 6.5

To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it

is more casual laziness and dawdling than deliberate habitual delaying
to dawdle
vsto hang an arse
17 5.0

Move or act slowly and waste time, causing delay

is the informal British phrase that means the same slow delaying action
to sit on your hands
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
12 8.1

Not do anything when action is needed

is lazy inactivity and dawdling rather than merely refusing to act
to stall for time
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
6 4.8

To delay doing something to get more time

is idle delaying or dawdling without the tactical aim of gaining time
to dilly-dally
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
5 7.9

To waste time by delaying when you should act

is more about lazy inactivity rather than careful hesitant delay
to dally
vsto hang an arse
4 7.7

To waste time by moving or acting slowly

is a colloquial British phrase meaning lazy inactivity rather than only hesitation
to mark time
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
3 6.3

Spend time waiting without making progress, doing unproductive things

means lazy or inactive dawdling rather than mere waiting for change
to sit on one's ass
vsto hang an arse
  • Offensive
2 9.9

To sit and do nothing instead of working

is chiefly British informal and focuses on relaxed dawdling behaviour
to bum about
vsto hang an arse
  • UK
2 8.6

To spend time doing very little and moving around without plans

is chiefly British and informal for the same idle behaviour
to spin your wheels
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
2 7.9

To waste time and effort without making progress

is about being idle and slow rather than active but unproductive
to sit on one's hands
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
1 7.4

To do nothing when someone should act

means lazy dawdling instead of a temporary or required pause
to arse around
vsto hang an arse
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To waste time doing silly or lazy things instead of useful work

is more purely lazy inactivity and dawdling without silliness
to arse about
vsto hang an arse
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To waste time instead of doing something useful

is inactivity or slow behaviour rather than aimless movement
to piss around
vsto hang an arse
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To waste time doing unimportant or silly things instead of doing something important

is used chiefly to mean lazy inactivity and simple dawdling
to wank around
vsto hang an arse
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To waste time instead of doing something useful

means lazy inaction and dawdling without task focus
to dillydally
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
1 8.3

To waste time by being slow or unsure about what to do

is more about lazy inactivity rather than hesitant indecision
to pull your pud
vsto hang an arse
  • Offensive
9.9

To waste time instead of working

is chiefly British informal phrase for lazy dawdling behaviour
to dally too long
vsto hang an arse
7.0

To delay longer than you should and risk missing something

is wider, covering ordinary dawdling not just excessive delay
to hangfire
vsto hang an arse
9.9

To wait before acting and risk losing a chance

is simple lazy dawdling rather than hesitation with big consequences
to drag one's feet
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
5.5

To be slow on purpose because you do not want to do something

is simple lazy inactivity rather than deliberate resistance or refusal
to drag one's heels
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
7.5

To delay doing something because you do not want to do it

is more like lazy dawdling rather than deliberate obstruction or refusal
to kick one's heels
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
7.8

To wait doing nothing because you are delayed or bored

is chosen lazy idleness rather than waiting forced by others or events
to chase one's tail
vsto hang an arse
  • Informal
7.7

To waste time on busy work and make no progress

focuses on lazy inaction rather than busy but ineffective activity

Antonyms

to hurry up
  • Informal
637 1.0

To move or act more quickly to avoid being late

to get moving
  • Informal
62 1.6

Start being active or hurry to do something

How Lazy

to idle
1 3.2
to loaf
7 6.2
to hang an arse
  • Offensive
9.9
to hang about
  • UK
3 4.4
to dawdle
17 5.0

Surface Forms

hang an arse infinitive
hanging an arse present participle
hangs an arse third person singular
hung an arse past participle

Morphology

hang + an + arse

The components 'hang' (to linger) and 'arse' (buttocks) combine to evoke a literal image of hanging around or sitting idle, so a learner who knows both words could plausibly infer a meaning related to dawdling. However, the phrase is colloquial/regionally British and uses an idiomatic body‑part metaphor plus an unusual article pattern, so the exact nuance and acceptability are not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

Hang an arse may come from the image of someone sitting with their arse just hanging while they do nothing. That's why it now means 'to be lazy' or 'to dawdle'.