hang on
verb
- wait
verb
- maintain possession of
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌhæŋ ˈɒn/
verb
- To wait a moment.
“Hang on. Let me check.”
- To hold, grasp, or grip.
“Hang on to the handle so you don't drop it.”
“"If you'll come along, then hang on!" said Hans, and the man had to hang on and limp along on one leg, whether he would or no; and when he tried to tear himself loose, he made it still worse for himself, for he was very nearly falling on his back whenever he struggled to get free.”
- To keep; to store something for someone.
“Hang on to my jacket until I get back.”
- To pay close attention to, or regard with (possibly obsequious) admiration.
“The audience hangs on his every word.”
- To continually believe in something; to have faith in.
“He's got a philosophy he hangs on to.”
- To persevere.
“Just hang on and keep going; this pain won't last forever.”
“It's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spend it with you / Such a perfect day you just keep me hanging on / You just keep me hanging on”
- To depend upon.
“Everything hangs on whether the boss agrees.”
“Medically, autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, hanging on a set of observed and reported behavioral characteristics.”
- To weigh down or oppress.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hang, on.