hang on

1) PHRASAL VERB If you ask someone to hang on, you ask them to wait or stop what they are doing or saying for a moment. [INFORMAL]

[V P] Can you hang on for a minute?...

[V P n] Hang on a sec. I'll come with you.

Syn:

hold on

2) PHRASAL VERB If you hang on, you manage to survive, achieve success, or avoid failure in spite of great difficulties or opposition.

[V P] Without the support of my parents I would have probably cracked up completely. But I managed to hang on...

[V P] Manchester United hung on to take the Cup.

3) PHRASAL VERB If you hang on to or hang onto something that gives you an advantage, you succeed in keeping it for yourself, and prevent it from being taken away or given to someone else.

[V P to n] The British driver was unable to hang on to his lead...

[V P n] The President has been trying hard to hang onto power...

[V P n] The company has been struggling to hang onto its sales force.

4) PHRASAL VERB If you hang on to or hang onto something, you hold it very tightly, for example to stop it falling or to support yourself.

[V P to n] She was conscious of a second man hanging on to the rail.

[V P n] ...a flight stewardess who helped save the life of a pilot by hanging onto his legs...

[V P] He hangs on tightly, his arms around my neck.

Syn:

cling on to

5) PHRASAL VERB If you hang on to or hang onto something, you keep it for a longer time than you would normally expect. [INFORMAL]

[V P n] You could, alternatively, hang onto it in the hope that it will be worth millions in 10 years time...

[V P to n] In the present climate, owners are hanging on to old ships.

6) PHRASAL VERB If one thing hangs on another, it depends on it in order to be successful.

[V P n] Much hangs on the success of the collaboration between the Group of Seven governments and Brazil.

Syn:

depend