Idioms

hang off

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hang off

1. Literally, to hang or dangle from something. Did you know that the gutter is practically hanging off the side of the house? We should probably get that fixed. Pull over! You can't drive home with your bumper hanging off like that! I've never used tinsel before. Is it just supposed to hang off the Christmas tree like that?
2. To stay behind, often in a subdued manner. I hung off once I could hear Mom yelling downstairs. Patsy and I hung off when we realized several teachers were arguing in the faculty lounge. I'm pretty sure Ed's mad at me, so I think I'll just hang off while you go on and talk to him.
3. To delay or wait rather than take action. You should hang off on booking a hotel until we know exactly how many people are coming on the trip. Can we hang off on revising the schedule? I just don't have time to deal with that this week. I know you want to start on that project, but hang off until I get these questions answered by the boss.
See also: hang, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hang off

to wait quietly to one side. The boys hung off a little, waiting to see what would happen next. Hang off awhile and don't do anything.
See also: hang, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

hang off

v.
1. To be suspended from something: The ornaments hang off the chandelier.
2. To hesitate or remain behind: Hang off on that decision until the boss gets back.
See also: hang, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
Let a piece of yarn measuring about 2" (5 cm) hang off the side.
Weaving a diagonal: Allow about 2" (5 cm) of yarn to hang off the side and place the yarn over the first warp string.
Woven necklaces inspired by Pueblo and Navajo weaving
The process also allows researchers to create paints with special properties, such as conductivity of high-temperature stability, by adding extra chemical groups that hang off the polymer chain like trinkets on a charm bracelet.
For unheard-of success, just add water
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