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

Calorie counts aside, this stock has been a port of calm during the recent storm, hanging on to its year-to-date gains and making our list of the Best Stocks in the Market. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026

Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School. —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

One of the stalking animals dashed from behind a knoll about 30 feet from the caribou, grabbed the animal’s flank, and hung on. —Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026

The same jury acquitted Lopez of more than a dozen other charges and hung on five counts of sending harmful material to a minor. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 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