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

Not bad, but barely enough to hang on for week two in an 8- or 10-plex theater. — Daren Smith, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

The marque’s latest is the handiwork of its Grandi Complicazioni division and is based on its second distinct model, the Huayra, a model many assumed was on its way out a few years ago but continues to hang on after 15 years in production. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 July 2026

On May 2, the Sun Sentinel reported that the solid waste Master Plan hangs on the support of the municipalities and Broward County. — Stephanie Pearson, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2026

By its ninth full fiscal year (which ended in March), for instance, the Wii was barely hanging on, selling new hardware at a rate less than 1 percent of its annual peak years earlier. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 7 July 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