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[hang off]

See: [HANG BACK].

[hang on]  {v.}

1. To hold on to something, usually tightly.

Jack almost fell off the cliff, but managed to hang on until help came.

Syn.: [HOLD ON] (1).

2a. To continue doing something; persist.

* /The grocer was losing money every day, but he  […]

[hang one on]  {v. phr.},  {slang}

1. To give a heavy blow to; hit hard.

The champion hung one on his challenger in the second round and knocked him out of the ring.

2. To get very drunk.

* /After Smith lost his job, he went to a bar and hung one  […]

[hang one's head]  {v. phr.}

To bend your head forward in shame.

Johnny hung his head when the teacher asked him if he broke the window.

Compare: [HIDE ONE'S HEAD].

[hang on the words of] also [hang on the lips of]  {v. phr.}

To listen very attentively to.

Ann hangs on every word of her history teacher and takes very careful notes.

* /As he went on with his speech, his auditors, deeply interested, hung on  […]

[hang on to]  {v.}

To hold tightly; keep firmly.

The child hung on to its mother's apron, and would not let go.

[hang on to one's mother's apron strings]

See: [TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS].

[hang on to your hat] or [hold on to your hat] or [hold your hat]  {v. phr.},  {informal}

1. Watch out; be prepared. — Used as a command, usually to warn of an unexpected action.

* /"Hold on to your hat," said Jim as he stepped on the gas and the car  […]

[hang out]  {v.}

1.  {slang}

To spend your time idly or lounging about.

The teacher complained that Joe was hanging out in poolrooms instead of doing his homework.

Compare: [HANG AROUND] (1).

2.  {slang}

To live; reside.

* /Two policemen stopped  […]

[hang out one's shingle]  {v. phr.},  {informal}

To give public notice of the opening of an office, especially a doctor's or lawyer's office, by putting up a small signboard.