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hang fire

phrase

Definition of hang firenext
as in delay
to move or act slowly He asked his team to hang fire until he was ready.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang fire
  1. fall behind
  2. mark time
Phrase
  • That followed up the first half of the season opener that saw the Broncos fall behind 17-3 and trail Memphis 20-17 at the break before storming to a 38-20 victory.
    — Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After a season-opening dud at Kansas City in which Waddle and Coleman struggled, the duo came up big as the Broncos powered past Trevor Lawrence the Jaguars after falling behind 13-3 early in the third quarter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of fall behind
Phrase
  • The moon represents creation and destruction, rebirth, eternity, the feminine, time, marking time, mystery, the night, and secrets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of mark time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

hangers-on
hang fire
hang gliding
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20fire. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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