: a source of mental or emotional difficulty
broadly
: problem
hung up; hanging up; hangs up
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
1
: to break a telephone connection
2
: to become stuck or snagged so as to be immovable
Examples of hang-up in a Sentence
Noun
low self-esteem is only one of his many hang-ups
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
Later the same day, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and moderate Republicans zeroed in on a SALT agreement, three sources told The Hill, solving one critical hang-up.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 21 May 2025
Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Here’s today’s: A cowboy hung up his hat, tied a blindfold around his eyes, walked one hundred yards across a wide field and turned around, pulling the trigger of his rifle.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang-up
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Noun
Burchett told the Washington Examiner the hang-up in the group is what the punishment will be for members who do not follow the law.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
Later the same day, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and moderate Republicans zeroed in on a SALT agreement, three sources told The Hill, solving one critical hang-up.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 21 May 2025
Verb
Nash tried to call 911, and Diddy told him to hang up.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Here’s today’s: A cowboy hung up his hat, tied a blindfold around his eyes, walked one hundred yards across a wide field and turned around, pulling the trigger of his rifle.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang-up
Cite this Entry
“Hang-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang-up. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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