hang on

verb

hung on; hanging on; hangs on

intransitive verb

1

: to keep hold : hold on to something

2

: to persist tenaciously

a cold that hung on all spring

3

: hold on sense 2

I'll get the answer if you can hang on.

see also:

hang on to

Examples of hang on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chase reaches its climax with Scottie slipping and hanging on to the roof for dear life while his partner falls to his death. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Reality, for Doomed, hangs on the harmony of the spheres, a crystalline architecture with the power to dazzle—and, at times, to lull. — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026

Joseph Paintsil scored his first two goals since August as the Galaxy hung on impressively for a point, but endangered their own playoff hopes by blowing the lead in another thrilling El Tráfico derby. — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

The Longhorns also nearly squandered a 10-point lead in the final two minutes when receiver Emmett Mosley IV couldn't hang on to an onside kick and the Rebels recovered to stay alive. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hang on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

hang on

verb

1

: to keep hold or possession especially tightly

hang on or you'll fall

hang on to your money

2

: to continue stubbornly

a cold that hung on all spring