hang on
verb
hung on; hanging on; hangs on
intransitive verb
1
: to keep hold : hold on to something
2
: to persist tenaciously
a cold that hung on all spring
3
: hold on sense 2
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1
hang on to
phrase
1
as in keep
to continue to have in one's possession or power You can hang on to that necklace if you like. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- keep
- retain
- hold
- hold on to
- save
- possess
- preserve
- reserve
- have
- withhold
- protect
- own
- guard
- enjoy
- conserve
- control
- cling (to)
- manage
- direct
- rule
- boast
- treasure
- harbor
- hug
- command
- detain
- cherish
- bear
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hand over
- release
- give up
- yield
- surrender
- drop
- contribute
- give
- abandon
- hand out
- relinquish
- dump
- decline
- reject
- lose
- donate
- cede
- discard
- repudiate
- spurn
2
as in have
to keep in one's mind or heart She hangs on to memories of her traveling days. Synonyms & Similar Words
- have
- hold
- hold on to
- retain
- harbor
- entertain
- cherish
- cultivate
- keep
- maintain
- bear
- nurse
- carry
- stick (to)
- remember
- cleave (to)
- foster
- sustain
- support
- hug
- preserve
- cling (to)
- nurture
- treasure
- fixate (on or upon)
- obsess (about or over)
- brood (about or over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- forget
- ignore
- drop
- neglect
- disregard
- part (with)
- decline
- deny
- overlook
- reject
- refuse
- disdain
- give up
- throw out
- scorn
- desert
- abandon
- quit
- discard
- repudiate
- abjure
- renounce
- forsake
- erase
- expunge
3
as in grip
to have or keep in one's hands Can you hang on to my purse while I use the bathroom? Synonyms & Similar Words
- grip
- clench
- clutch
- hold
- grab
- cling (to)
- carry
- hold on to
- take
- cradle
- capture
- snatch
- hook
- snap (up)
- trap
- bag
- handle
- hug
- seize
- land
- latch (on or onto)
- catch
- grasp
- nab
- feel
- corral
- finger
- collar
- snare
- clasp
- paw
- nail
- embrace
- bear
- grapple
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hand
- give
- drop
- hand over
- hand out
- release
- give up
- deliver
- turn over
- yield
- render
- relinquish
- unclasp
- unhand
- cede
4
as in hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms Hang on to this rope for support. Synonyms & Similar Words
- hold
- take
- grasp
- grip
- lay hold of
- clasp
- hold on (to)
- cling (to)
- clench
- catch
- clutch
- snatch
- seize
- nab
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- free
- release
- drop
- discharge
- hand over
- liberate
- transfer
- hand
- give
- pass
- deliver
- turn over
- relinquish
- transmit
- entrust
- intrust
- unhand