hover around (someone or something)

To position oneself near or around someone or something else; to linger near or around someone or something else. If you keep hovering around me like this, I'm going to put you to work setting the table! Can I just get five minutes of peace and quiet? I've had kids hovering around me all day. It's not time for cake yet, so you all can quit hovering around the dessert table!

hover between (something) and (something else)

1. Physically, to float or be suspended between two things. The plane hovered between the two runways before it got cleared to make a landing. After you bungee jump, you know you'll have to hover between this cliff and that one until they can get you down! Billy's remote control plane briefly hovered between Sally and the table before the battery died.

2. By extension, to struggle to decide between several options. If she's hovering between those two schools, well, she'll get a great education either way. Yeah, I'm hovering between those two prom dresses because I can't decide if I want a short dress or a long one. I'm not too worried about Todd because I know he's hovering between two great job offers and opportunities.

hover over (someone or something)

1. To float or be suspended over someone or something. The plane hovered over the runway before making a smooth landing. After you bungee jump, you know you'll have to hover over the dam until they can get you down! Billy's remote control plane managed to hover over the table for about 30 seconds before the battery died.

2. To linger near or around someone or something, often when doing so is unwelcome. Dad, I can't get anything done with you hovering over me—quit it! Ugh, the boss has been hovering over me the whole time I've been working on this project. It's not time for cake yet, so you all can quit hovering over the dessert table!

hover around (someone or something)

to hang or wait around someone or something. The mugger hovered around the side door to the theater, waiting for a victim. The birds hovered around the bird feeder.

hover between something (and something else)

1. Lit. to float or hang between things. The helicopter hovered between the buildings and lowered a rescue chair. The hummingbird hovered between the blossoms, sipping from one and then the other.

2. Fig. to waver between choosing one thing and another. I hovered between chocolate and vanilla. Uncle Jed hovered between life and death for days.

hover over someone or something

1. Lit. to remain suspended over someone or something. The rescue helicopter hovered over the floating sailor. A huge blimp hovered over the football stadium.

2. Fig. [for someone] to stay close to someone or something, waiting, ready to advise or interfere. Please don't hover over me, watching what I am doing. I have to hover over this project or someone will mess it up.