Hang on
2 meanings · select one to explore
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Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To hold tightly to something
Example sentence
Hang on to the railing, the stairs are icy.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: hang on to + object (noun)
hang on to the railing
hang on to the rope
hang on to your hat
hang on tight
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
She hung on to the rope during the storm. ✅ (Correct)
She hung the rope on to during the storm. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To wait a moment (informal)
Example sentence
Hang on, I need to grab my keys.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: Hang on + (a second/minute)
hang on a second
hang on a minute
hang on, wait
just hang on
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
Hang on, I'll be right back. ✅ (Correct)
Hang, I'll be right back on. ❌ (Incorrect — "on" cannot be separated from "hang" with no object)