H

[hang behind]

See: [HANG BACK] (1).

[hang by a hair]

See: [HANG BY A THREAD].

[hang by a thread] or [hang by a hair]  {v. phr.}

To depend on a very small thing; be in doubt.

For three days Tom was so sick that his life hung by a thread.

As Joe got ready to kick a field goal, the result of the game hung by a hair.

 […]

[hanger]

See: [CREPE HANGER].

[hang fire]  {v. phr.}

1. To fail or be slow in shooting or firing.

Smith pulled the trigger, but the gun hung fire and the deer escaped.

2. To be slow in beginning; to be delayed; to wait.

* /The boys' plans for organizing a scout troop hung  […]

[hang heavy] or [hang heavy on one's hands]  {v. phr.}

To pass slowly or uninterestingly; be boring with little to do.

The vacation time hung heavy on Dick's hands because all his friends were away at camp.

Compare: [ON ONE'S HANDS].

[hang in effigy] or [burn in effigy]  {v. phr.}

To hang or burn a figure, usually a stuffed dummy, representing a person who is disliked or scorned.

* /When the high school team lost the championship game, the coach was hung in effigy by the  […]

[hang in the balance]  {v. phr.}

To have two equally possible results; to be in doubt; be uncertain.

Until Jim scored the winning touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance.

* /She was very sick and her life hung in the balance for  […]

[hang in (there)]  {v. phr.},  {slang},  {informal}

To persevere; not to give up; to stick to a project and not lose faith or courage.

[hang it (all)]  {interj.},  {informal}

An exclamation used to express annoyance or disappointment.

Oh, hang it! I forgot to bring the book I wanted to show you.