hang-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈhaŋ-ˌəp 

: a source of mental or emotional difficulty

broadly : problem

hang up

2 of 2

verb

hung up; hanging up; hangs up

transitive verb

1

a

: to place on a hook or hanger designed for the purpose

hang up your coat

b

: to replace (a telephone receiver) on the cradle so that the connection is broken

2

: to keep delayed, suspended, or held up

3

: to cause to stick or snag immovably

the ship was hung up on a sandbar

intransitive verb

1

: to break a telephone connection

2

: to become stuck or snagged so as to be immovable

Synonyms

Noun

• affliction
• demon
• daemon
• terror
• torment

Examples of hang-up in a Sentence

Noun

low self-esteem is only one of his many hang-ups

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Harker also comes from an unfortunate background with a mother, Ruth (Alicia Witt), who has her own religious hang-ups and twisted personality. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 July 2024

But a new rocket, dubbed Ariane 6, just launched on its maiden mission after years of delays and hang-ups in the development process. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 9 July 2024

Verb

The person asking for my donation had hung up on me. —Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024

The Zombies' management team also announced that all of the band's upcoming performances have been canceled on account of Argent's retirement The Zombies' Rod Argent is hanging up his tour hat for good after suffering a stroke. —Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1952, in the meaning defined above

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

hang-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈhaŋ-ˌəp

: a source of mental or emotional difficulty

hang up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)haŋ-ˈəp

1

a

: to place on a hook or hanger

hang up your coat

b

: to replace a telephone receiver on the cradle so that the connection is broken

also : to end a telephone conversation

2

: to snag or cause to snag so as to be immovable

a boat hung up on rocks