hang on

verb

hung on; hanging on; hangs on

intransitive verb

1

: to keep hold : hold on to something

2

: to persist tenaciously

a cold that hung on all spring

3

: hold on sense 2

Phrases

hang on to

: to hold, grip, or keep tenaciously

Examples of hang on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And in some seats, the fate of Conservative candidates could hang on their votes. —NBC News, 4 July 2024

The residual effects of the pandemic, runaway inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, monthslong National Health Service waiting lists, and a failure to stem the flow of immigration are among the criticisms being hung on Conservatives. —Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2024

The megafauna didn’t survive that change, but smaller animals like coyotes, mule deer, raccoons and turkey vultures adapted and managed to hang on, and so did many plants. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2024

Anne Long can still recall the Ten Commandments hanging on the wall of her childhood classroom in a Kentucky public school some 70 years ago. —Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 27 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hang on

verb

1

: to keep hold or possession especially tightly

hang on or you'll fall

hang on to your money

2

: to continue stubbornly

a cold that hung on all spring