hang-on

[ hang-on, -awn ]

/ ˈhæŋˌɒn, -ˌɔn /

Informal.

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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.

adjective

pertaining to or denoting such an attachment: A clumsy hang-on unit supplied the air conditioning.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of hang-on

Noun, adj. use of verb phrase hang on

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hang-on in a sentence

The small black syce-and heaven knows how HE had managed to hang on-darted to the heads of the leading mules.
The Land of Footprints|Stewart Edward White
Says it's nothin' but just grit and hang-on that keeps him alive.
Fair Harbor|Joseph Crosby Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for hang-on

hang on

verb (intr)

(adverb) to continue or persist in an activity, esp with effort or difficultyhang on at your present job until you can get another

(adverb) to cling, grasp, or holdshe hangs on to her mother's arm

(preposition) to be conditioned or contingent on; depend oneverything hangs on this business deal

Also: hang onto, hang upon (preposition) to listen attentively toshe hung on his every word

(adverb) informal to wait or remainhang on for a few minutes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with hang-on

hang on

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.

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 hang on by one's eyelashes or eyebrows or eyelids, meaning “to persist at any cost.” [Second half of 1800s]

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

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

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

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]

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.