All phrasal verbs
hang
/hæŋ/5 phrasal verbsThe plain verb means to suspend, or to stay.
Hang out (spend casual time) and hang on (wait) are both everyday informal speech. Hang up is the phone one — and it survives from an era when you physically hung the receiver on a hook.
Side by side
Every HANG phrasal verb, with the one line that keeps it apart from its siblings. Tap any one to open it.
| Phrasal verb | Means | How to remember it |
|---|---|---|
| hang outNo object | spend time relaxing with people | OUT = out and about, no agenda. |
| hang onNo object2 meanings | wait a moment; persevere | ON = keep gripping. |
| hang upBoth2 meanings | end a phone call; suspend on a hook | UP = onto the hook. |
| hang aroundNo object | stay in a place without a clear purpose | AROUND = aimless. |
| hang inNo object | persevere through difficulty — usually 'hang in there' | IN = stay in the fight. |