- hang
- hang1 W2S1 [hæŋ] v past tense and past participle hung [hʌŋ]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(top part fastened)¦2¦(picture etc)¦3¦(kill/be killed)¦4¦(paper)¦5¦(door)¦6¦(mist/smoke/smell)¦7 hang open8 hang in the balance9 hang by a thread10 hang (on) in there11 hang your head12 hang fire13 leave something hanging in the air14 hang a right/left1516 I'll be hanged if17 hang it (all)18 hang somethingPhrasal verbshang abouthang about with somebodyhang around/round (something)hang around with somebodyhang backhang onhang on to somethinghang outhang over something/somebodyhang togetherhang up▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(TOP PART FASTENED)¦a) also hang up [T always + adverb/preposition]to put something in a position so that the top part is fixed or supported, and the bottom part is free to move and does not touch the ground▪ Philip hung his coat on a hook behind the door.▪ She hung the sheets on the washing line.b) [I always + adverb/preposition]to be in a position where the top part is fixed or supported, and the bottom part is free to move and does not touch the ground▪ An old-fashioned gas lamp hung from the ceiling.▪ Her long hair hung loose about her shoulders.▪ The shirt hung down almost to his ankles.2.) ¦(PICTURE ETC)¦a) [T]to fix a picture, photograph etc to a wall▪ I wanted to hang the picture in the hall, by the front door.b) [I always + adverb/preposition]if a picture, photograph etc is hanging somewhere, it is fixed to a wall▪ There was a large family photograph hanging on the wall.c) be hung with sthif the walls of a room are hung with pictures or decorations, the pictures etc are on the walls▪ The entrance hall was hung with rich tapestries.3.) ¦(KILL/BE KILLED)¦past tense and past participle hanged [I and T]to kill someone by dropping them with a rope around their neck, or to die in this way, especially as a punishment for a serious crimebe hanged for sth▪ He was hanged for murder.hang yourself▪ Corey hanged himself in his prison cell.▪ If he is found guilty, he will almost certainly hang.4.) ¦(PAPER)¦ [T]to fasten attractive paper to a wall in order to decorate a room▪ We spent the afternoon hanging wallpaper .5.) ¦(DOOR)¦ [T]to fasten a door in position▪ Hanging a door is quite a tricky job.6.) ¦(MIST/SMOKE/SMELL)¦ [I + adverb/preposition]if something such as smoke hangs in the air, it stays in the air for a long time▪ The smoke from the bonfires hung in the air.▪ A thick mist hung over the town.7.) hang openif a door, someone's mouth etc hangs open, it is open8.) hang in the balanceif something hangs in the balance, it is not certain what will happen to it▪ The future of the company hangs in the balance.9.) hang by a threadif something is hanging by a thread, it is in a very dangerous situation and may not continue▪ He is still in hospital, his life hanging by a thread.10.) hang (on) in there also hang toughspoken especially AmE to remain brave and determined when you are in a difficult situation▪ Don't worry. Just hang on in there.11.) hang your headto look ashamed and embarrassed▪ She hung her head, not sure how to reply.▪ Daphne had hung her head in shame .12.) hang fireto wait for a short while before you do something▪ I think we should hang fire for a week.13.) leave sth hanging in the airto leave something in a situation where it has not been explained, completed, or dealt with▪ His resignation has left some important questions hanging in the air.14.) hang a right/leftAmE spoken to turn right or left when driving▪ Go straight on for two blocks, then hang a left.15.) [i]AmE spoken to spend time somewhere, relaxing and enjoying yourselfhang with▪ We were just hanging with the dudes at Mike's house.16.) I'll be hanged ifBrE old-fashioned used to express annoyance or to say that you will not allow something to happen▪ I'll be hanged if I'll give them any money!17.) hang it (all)BrE old-fashioned used to say that you are disappointed or annoyed about something18.) hang sthBrE old-fashioned used to say that you are not going to do something▪ Oh hang the report, let's go for a drink.hang about phr v1.) spoken to move slowly or take too long doing something▪ Come on, we haven't got time to hang about!2.) hang about (sth)to spend time somewhere without any real purpose▪ There were always groups of boys hanging about in the square.▪ He normally hung about the house all day.3.) hang about!spokena) used to ask someone to wait or stop what they are doingb) used when you have just noticed or thought of something that is interesting or wrong▪ Hang about - that can't be right.hang about with [hang about with sb] phr vto spend a lot of time with someonehang around/round () [hang around/round (sth)] phr vto wait or spend time somewhere, doing nothing▪ I hung around the station for an hour but he never came.hang around with [hang around with sb] phr vto spend a lot of time with someone▪ The people I used to hang around with were much older than me.hang back phr v1.) to stay a short distance away from someone or something, and not go too near them▪ Instinctively he hung back in the shelter of a rock.2.) to not say or do something because you are shy or afraidhang on phr v1.) to hold something tightlyhang on to▪ She hung on to the side of the cart as it rattled over the stones.▪ Hang on tight!2.) hang on!BrE spokena) used to ask or tell someone to wait= ↑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.) hang on sthto depend on something▪ Everything hangs on the outcome of this meeting.4.) hang on sb's words/every wordto pay close attention to everything someone is saying▪ She was watching his face, hanging on his every word.hang on to [hang on to sth] phr vto keep something▪ I think I'll hang on to the documents for a bit longer.hang out phr v1.) informal to spend a lot of time in a particular place or with particular peoplehang out with▪ I don't really know who she hangs out with.▪ Where do the youngsters hang out?→↑hangout2.) hang sth<=>outto hang clothes outside in order to dry them▪ My job was to hang out the washing.▪ Hang the wet things out to dry .3.) let it all hang out informalto relax and do what you likehang over / [hang over sth/sb] phr vif something bad is hanging over you, you are worried or anxious about it▪ The threat of redundancy was still hanging over us.▪ It's not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head .hang together phr v1.) if a plan, story, set of ideas etc hangs together, it is well organized and its different parts go well together▪ Her story just doesn't hang together.2.) if people hang together, they help each otherhang up phr v1.) to finish a telephone conversation▪ I said goodbye and hung up.hang up on▪ Don't hang up on me - I need to talk to you.2.) hang sth<=>upto hang clothes on a hook etc▪ She took her coat off and hung it up.3.) hang up your hat/football boots/briefcase etc informalto stop doing a particular kind of workhang 2hang2 nget the hang of sth informalto learn how to do something or use something▪ It seems difficult at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.