cliff-hanging

or cliff·hang·ing

[ klif-hang-ing ]

/ ˈklɪfˌhæŋ ɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for cliff-hanging on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a cliff-hanger: a cliff-hanging vote of 20–19.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of cliff-hanging

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Words nearby cliff-hanging

cliff, cliff brake, cliff dweller, cliff-hang, cliffhanger, cliff-hanging, Clifford, Clifford trust, Cliffside Park, Cliffs Notes, cliff swallow

How to use cliff-hanging in a sentence

Some “hanging judges” have handed down hundreds of death sentences at a time.
Amal Clooney vs. Egypt’s Courts|Christopher Dickey|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One is forced to ask, what on earth was Andrew doing hanging out with scantily clad teenagers?
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The first day of Liberty, I was hanging around waiting for Ford to come in.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I went to his joint once, back when I was first hanging out in New York, doing plays.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

On Thursday night, Brinsley and this friend were hanging together.
Alleged Cop Killer’s Blood-Soaked Screenplay|M.L. Nestel|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Only the petrol tins they took for water right and left of their pathway up the cliff; huge diamonds in the evening sun.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
The dog stood with hanging head and tail, as if ashamed he had let so many of his enemies get away unharmed.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
The latter went immediately to look for his wife, and found her hidden in an attic, hanging to a beam.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Her eyes were not nearly as soft as they had been, while she picked up the hanging folds of pink cloth, and went on.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
She had been walking alone with her arms hanging limp, letting her white skirts trail along the dewy path.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin