From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhang on phrasal verb1 HOLDto hold something tightly to She hung on to the side of the cart. Hang on tight!2 hang on! British English spoken a) WAITused to ask or tell someone to wait SYN hold on Hang on! I’ll be back in a minute. b) used when you have just noticed or thought of something that is interesting or wrong3 DEPEND/IT DEPENDS hang on something to depend on something Everything hangs on the outcome of this meeting.4 hang on somebody’s words/every wordATTENTION to pay close attention to everything someone is saying She was watching his face, hanging on his every word. → hang→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
hang on• They are for ever hanging on by their fingernails.• But hang on - there's Bambi!hang to• How long can you hang on to an impossible dream?• And we're hanging on to each other trying to get on the plane.• Always hang on to something that tells them who they are - and tells me, too, in this case.• The perception seems to be that horses hang on to the infection and then pass it on.• Hang on to the rail or you'll fall.• If she wanted to hang on to the shreds of her professional reputation she'd better start by controlling her haywire emotions.• And, if like me you believe that dreams come true, you should hang on to them.• So I can hang on to things as I move around.hang on something• Pros: Lots of pyrotechnics and effects, plenty of twists and turns that keep you hanging on.• They are for ever hanging on by their fingernails.• The sight of him hanging on the Cross - are we really supposed to worship that, defeat and death?• You can escape if you answer puzzles, games and questions about the great works of art hanging on the walls.• But hang on - there's Bambi!• If she wanted to hang on to the shreds of her professional reputation she'd better start by controlling her haywire emotions.• A few still hang on today, but in large sections of the mountains a living dogwood is nowhere to be seen.• With just a few basic materials, I now have paintings hanging on walls in relatives homes.hang on somebody’s words/every word• And the children of Elvis did hang on his every word.• As a result, you find yourself hanging on to every word and gesture.• We weren't all hanging on your every word anyway, even back then. 