Meaning
- To ask someone to wait briefly.
- To hold something tightly.
- To continue or persevere through difficulty.
- Used when introducing something or expressing surprise.
Today’s Sentences
01
Hang on, I just need to grab my jacket.
Situation
Hey, are you ready to leave?
Hang on, I just need to grab my jacket.
Okay, but we don’t want to be late.
I’ll be quick—just give me 30 seconds.
02
I know—hang on tight when it starts.
Situation
This roller coaster looks intense!
It does.
Make sure you hang on tight when it starts.
Do people actually scream the whole time?
You will if you don’t hang on!
Writer’s Note
The phrasal verb 「hang on」 is intransitive, transitive, and inseparable.
- Intransitive – a verb phrase (at least two words) that does not require a direct object to complete its meaning.
Example 1: Hang on, I’ll be right back.
Example 2: She managed to hang on through the crisis. - Transitive – combines a verb with one or more particles (adverbs or prepositions) and requires a direct object to complete its meaning.
Example 1: I’m going to hang on to this book for a bit longer.
Example 2: He hung on to the documents just in case. - Inseparable – When the verb hang and its particle on can be separated by the object of the verb.
Example 1: She hung onto them for sentimental reasons.
Example 2: Can you hang on to this while I grab my bag?
Related words for asking someone to wait: Give me a minute, hold on, just a sec, pause, wait a moment.
Related words to grip something firmly: Cling to, clutch, grasp, grip, hold on.
Related words to persevere: Endure, hold on, keep going, push through, stick with it, tough it out.
Related words to interrupt, clarify, or disbelief: Hold on a moment, just a moment, pause, stop right there, wait a second.
