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Hang on meaning

Hang on means to wait for a short time. It can also mean to hold something tightly so you do not fall or lose it.

Check yourself: 3 questions

hang on

hang on · hung · hanging

B1No object+2 more meanings

Hang on a minute. I’ll get my keys.

Hang on meanings and examples

3 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.

  1. 1wait for a short time
  2. 2hold something tightly so you do not fall or lose it
  3. 3keep going in a difficult situation
  1. 1

    Wait for a short time

    hang on

    B1No object

    • Hang on a minute. I’ll get my keys.
    • Can you hang on? I’m just finishing a call.
    • Hang on, that’s not what you said yesterday!
  2. 2

    Hold something tightly so you do not fall or lose it

    hang on

    B2No object

    • Hang on tight. The road gets bumpy here.
    • She hung on to the rope with both hands.
    • The kid hung on to his mum’s coat in the crowd.
  3. 3

    Keep going in a difficult situation

    hang on

    B2No object

    • The team hung on to win 2 to 1.
    • Hang on in there. The exams are nearly over.
    • The shop hung on for a year, then closed.
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Is hang on separable?

Hang on has no object. To name what you hold, add to: hang on to the rail. Hang on to something can also mean keep it: Hang on to the receipt.

Hang on! in speech often means wait, I don’t agree or something is wrong. Hold on is a near synonym for the wait and hold tightly meanings.

Verb tenses for hang on

PresentI hang on · she hangs on
Pasthung on
Present perfecthave hung on
-ing formhanging on

Common mistakes with hang on

What learners often say, and what to say instead.

  • Wrong: Hang on me, I’m coming!

    Right: Hang on, I’m coming!

    In the wait meaning, there is no object.

  • Wrong: Hang on the handle, the bus is moving.

    Right: Hang on to the handle, the bus is moving.

    Use hang on to before the thing you hold.

  • Wrong: Please hang on during two minutes.

    Right: Please hang on for two minutes.

    Use for with a length of time.

Synonyms and opposites of hang on

Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.

Similar

Opposite

Hang on quiz

Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.

  1. 1___ a second. I can’t find my phone.

  2. 2Choose the right sentence.

  3. 3“Hang on, didn’t you say you were vegetarian?” What does hang on show here?

More phrasal verbs with hang

4 phrasal verbs start with hang. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.

Test yourself on hangTake the full test

Hang on FAQ

Questions people ask about hang on.

What is the difference between hang on and hold on?

For wait and hold tightly, they mean the same. Hang on is a little more informal and more common in UK English.

What does hang on to mean?

It means hold something tightly, or keep it: Hang on to your ticket, you’ll need it later.

Is hang on rude?

No. Hang on a minute is a normal friendly way to ask someone to wait. Wait a moment is more formal.

Use hang on in real conversations

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