Phrasal verb
hang on
Meanings
to wait for a short time
to hold tightly so you do not fall or lose your grip
to continue despite difficulty; to not give up
Definition
Hang on means to wait for a short time.
Hang on is used to tell someone to wait briefly, often while you check something or finish what you are doing. It can also mean to hold something tightly so you do not fall or lose your grip. In another common use, it means to continue doing something or keep going through a difficult situation.
Examples
- Hang on a second—I’ll grab my keys.
- Can you hang on while I check the schedule?
- He tried to hang on to the railing when the bus lurched.
- She told herself to hang on until the meeting was over.
- They decided to hang on and finish the hike before dark.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse hang on (wait) with hang up (end a phone call) and use the wrong one on the phone.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.