Hang up
2 meanings · select one to explore
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Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To be unable to stop thinking about someone or something, especially romantically (usually passive: "hung up on")
Example sentence
She's still hung up on her ex-boyfriend.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: be hung up on + person/thing
hung up on her ex
hung up on the past
hung up on a mistake
get hung up on details
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
He's hung up on the idea that he failed. ✅ (Correct)
He's hung the idea up on that he failed. ❌ (Incorrect — this sense is fixed as "hung up on," not separable)
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To hang an item on a hook or peg (literal)
Example sentence
Please hang up your coat when you come in.
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 up + clothing/item (noun)
hang up your coat
hang up the towel
hang up your keys
hang up the picture
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
He hung up his jacket by the door. ✅ (Correct)
He hung his jacket up by the door. ✅ (Correct)
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To end a phone call
Example sentence
She hung up before I could say goodbye.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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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 up (the phone) / hang up on (someone)
hang up the phone
hang up on someone
hang up abruptly
hang up mid-sentence
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
He hung up the phone angrily. ✅ (Correct)
He hung the phone up angrily. ✅ (Correct)