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

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut hung on at No. 3 with another 5.7M views this week. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

The withering vestiges of avant-garde New York—the writers, critics, artists, filmmakers, and dancers who have hung on since its peak—feel a little less vital today without his contempt. —Daniel Felsenthal, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024

Connie Nielsen, reprising her role as Lucis’ mother Lucilla from the first film, has only wooden dialogue and little character development to hang on. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2024

Here's where and why Still hanging on to your early ballot in Arizona? —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 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