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• hang-on
  hang-on

  noun

  something easily attached to or mounted on another surface or object, as a turbocharger or transceiver in an automobile, a unit suspendable from shelving, or a portable soap dish.
• hang on
  hang on

  verb

  (adverb) to continue or persist in an activity, esp with effort or difficulty

hang-on

American  

[hang-on, -awn] / ˈhæŋˌɒn, -ˌɔn /

noun

1. something easily attached to or mounted on another surface or object, as a turbocharger or transceiver in an automobile, a unit suspendable from shelving, or a portable soap dish.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or denoting such an attachment.

   A clumsy hang-on unit supplied the air conditioning.

hang on British  

verb

1. (adverb) to continue or persist in an activity, esp with effort or difficulty

   hang on at your present job until you can get another

2. (adverb) to cling, grasp, or hold

   she hangs on to her mother's arm

3. (preposition) to be conditioned or contingent on; depend on

   everything hangs on this business deal

4. Also: hang onto.   hang upon.  (preposition) to listen attentively to

   she hung on his every word

5. informal (adverb) to wait or remain

   hang on for a few minutes

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hang on Idioms  

1. hang on to . Cling tightly to something, retain, as in Hang on to those papers before they blow away . [Mid-1800s] Also see hang on to your hat .

2. Continue persistently, persevere, as in This cough is hanging on much longer than I expected , or He was hanging on, hoping business would improve when interest rates went down . This usage was sometimes embellished to , meaning “to persist at any cost.” [Second half of 1800s]

3. Keep a telephone connection open, as in Please hang on, I'll see if he's in . [First half of 1900s]

4. Wait for a short time, be patient, as in Hang on, I'm getting it as fast as I can . [First half of 1900s]

5. Depend on, as in Our plans hang on their decision about the new park . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1900s]

6. Blame on, as in They'll try to hang that robbery on the same gang, but I don't think they'll succeed . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

7. hang one on . Get very drunk, as in Come on, let's go and hang one on . [ Slang ; mid-1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with hang on .

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Etymology

Origin of hang-on

Noun, adj. use of verb phrase hang on

Example Sentences

Hang on a sec, we imagine Karl saying, this connection is terrible.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Hang on tight, but don’t close your eyes.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“Whoa. Hang on, that’s not good,” the camera operator says as the flames continue to flare.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2025

Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on Thursday did not confirm or deny a possible Biden visit.

From Reuters • Aug. 19, 2023

“Jonas. You’re going to be all right. We just need to find you something to eat and drink. Hang on, friend, do you hear me?”

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys

Related Words

• cling
• go on
• grasp
• hold on
• hold out
• persevere
• persist