hang on

hang something on someone or something

to drape or hook something on someone or something. (See also .) Hangthissign on Walter and see how he looks. Please hang this sign on the front door.

See also: hang

hang something on someone

Sl. to blame something on someone; to frame someone for something. (See also hang something on someone or something.) Don't try to hang the blame on me! The sheriff tried to hang the bank robbery on Jed.

See also: hang

hang on 

1. to wait awhile. Hang on a minute. I need to talk to you. Hang on. Let me catch up with you.

2. to survive for awhile. I think we can hang on without electricity for a little while longer.

3. [for an illness] to linger or persist. This cold has been hanging on for a month. This is the kind of flu that hangs on for weeks.

4. be prepared for fast or rough movement. (Usually a command.) Hang on! The train is going very fast. Hang on! We're going to crash!

5. to pause in a telephone conversation. Please hang on until I get a pen. If you'll hang on, I'll get her.

See also: hang

hang on (to someone or something) and hold on (to someone or something)

1. Lit. to grasp someone or something. She hung on to her husband to keep warm. She sat there and hung on, trying to keep warm.

2. Fig. to detain someone or something. Please hang on to Tom if he's still there. I need to talk to him.

See also: hang

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hang on

1. to hold on tightly Firefighters used to hang on to the back of the fire truck as it raced to a fire.

2. to wait Excuse me, wait a minute! Verna, can you hang on just a second? I'll be right back.

Usage notes: often used when you are talking on the telephone

3. to continue despite appearing as if the end is near That awful show has hung on for yet another year, although we can't imagine why or how.

See also: hang