hang on meaning: definition, quotations

hang on

verb

/ˌhæŋ ˈɒn/

9 senses

Figuratively, Idiomatic, Imperative To wait a moment.

Figuratively, Idiomatic To hold, grasp, or grip.

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

1 more example

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:

Figuratively, Idiomatic To keep; to store something for someone.

Figuratively, Idiomatic To pay close attention to, or regard with (possibly obsequious) admiration.

The audience hangs on his every word.
I'm stuck on your heart / I hang on every word you say1989, Mike Chapman, Holly Knight, “The Best”, performed by Tina Turner:

Figuratively, Idiomatic To continually believe in something; to have faith in.

Just hang on and keep going; this pain won't last forever.
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 on1972, Lou Reed, “Perfect Day”:

1 more example

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way1973, “Time”, in The Dark Side of the Moon, performed by Pink Floyd:

Everything hangs on whether the boss agrees.
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:

Figuratively, Idiomatic To weigh down or oppress.

Figuratively, Idiomatic Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hang, on.