hang out

verb

1. to suspend, be suspended, or lean, esp from an opening, as for display or airing

   to hang out the washing

2. informal,  (intr) to live at or frequent a place

   the police know where the thieves hang out

3. informal,  to frequent the company (of someone)

4. slang,  to relax completely in an unassuming way (esp in the phrase let it all hang out )

5. informal,  (intr) to act or speak freely, in an open, cooperative, or indiscreet manner

noun

1. informal,  a place where one lives or that one frequently visits

Idioms and Phrases

Protrude downward, as in The dog's tongue was hanging out , or The branches hung out over the driveway . [c. 1400]

Display a flag or sign of some kind, as in They hung out the flag on every holiday . [Mid-1500s]

Reside, live, as in I've found a place downtown, and I'll be hanging out there beginning next week . [c. 1800]

Spend one's free time in; also, loiter, pass time idly. For example, They hung out around the pool parlor , or They spent the evening just hanging out . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

hang out with . Keep company with, appear in public with, as in She's hanging out with her ex-boyfriend again . [ Slang ; second half of 1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with hang out ; let it all hang out .