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

What would stop us, for example from performing the equivalent of a baseball player nonchalantly flipping his bat 10 feet into the air after belting a home run or a basketball player slamming a dunk and hanging on the rim to crank out some pull-ups? —Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025

The chalkboard stands alone as a creative outlet (a chalkboard stand adds extra stability) or hangs on the wall. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 7 Feb. 2025

All far more complex problems to solve than finding the perfect couch or what art to hang on the stairwell — though that, too, was a process. —Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2025

Button didn’t win again but hung on just long enough to capture the title. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2025

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