hang on - Definition & Meaning

hang on

Third Person

hangs on

Present Participle

hanging on

Past Tense

hung on

Past Participle

hung on

to ask someone to wait briefly or pause for a moment

to unfairly blame someone for something

Synonyms:

to persist and refuse to give up, especially in difficult or challenging situations

Despite the setbacks, he decided to hang on and continue pursuing his dream.
She told herself to hang on even when things seemed impossible.
The team's determination to hang on during the tough match paid off with a late goal.
In times of adversity, it's essential to hang on and keep moving forward.
The entrepreneur's ability to hang on through tough times led to the success of the business.

Synonyms:

to remain on the line during a phone call, typically while waiting for someone to become available to talk

Can you please hang on for a moment?
The receptionist asked the caller to hang on as she transferred the call to the appropriate department.
I'll put you on hold for a minute; please hang on until I return to the call.
Just hang on for a few seconds while I check that information for you.

Synonyms:

to be dependent on something

Their success hangs on the outcome of the upcoming negotiation.
The company's survival hangs on its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
The team's victory is hanging on the performance of their star player.
Her decision to take the job hangs on the salary and benefits package.
The success of the project hangs on the cooperation of all team members.

to grasp or hold onto something tightly for balance or to prevent falling

Hang on tight, the roller coaster is about to take off!
In strong winds, it's crucial to hang on to your hat to prevent it from blowing away.
Hang on tight to the rope while I lower you down into the cave.
The rock climber had to hang on to a narrow ledge until help arrived.
When riding a bicycle, always hang on to the handlebars for control.

to pay close attention on something

I need to hang on to every word of the lecture to understand the complex concepts being discussed.
During the important meeting, she hung on to every detail of the presentation.
To solve the puzzle, you need to hang on to the clues provided.
The students were hanging on to the professor's every word during the fascinating lecture.

to stay in a state of waiting until a specific event or outcome occurs

We've been hanging on for the test results, and it's making us quite anxious.
We'll have to hang on a bit longer to hear the final decision.
He couldn't hang on any longer and left the waiting room.
I'm just going to hang on here until the bus arrives.
I'm still waiting to hear if my loan was approved; the bank has kept me hanging on for weeks.

to last longer than expected