cling

cling [klıŋ] v past tense and past participle clung [klʌŋ]

[: Old English; Origin: clingan]

1.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to hold someone or something tightly, especially because you do not feel safe

cling to/on/at etc

▪ He wailed and clung to his mother.

▪ Passengers clung desperately onto the lifeboats.

2.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to stick to someone or something, or seem to surround them

cling to/around etc

▪ His wet shirt clung to his body.

▪ The smell of cigarette smoke clung to her clothes.

3.) to stay close to someone all the time because you are too dependent on them or do not feel safe - used to show disapproval

▪ Some children tend to cling on their first day at school.

▪ a less clinging wife

cling on [i]phr v

to continue trying to stay in power, in business etc

▪ Other businesses cling on and hope.

cling to [cling to sth] phr v

1.) to continue to believe or do something, even though it may not be true or useful any longer

cling to the hope/belief/idea etc (that)

▪ He clung to the hope that she would be cured.

2.) to stay in a position of power or stay ahead, when this is difficult, or to try to do this

▪ an attempt to cling to power