1.
to wait for a short time
“Hang on a minute!”
“Hang on, I'll be right back.”
Synonyms: to wait, to hold on
Phrasal verb
What does hang on mean?
Meaning: to wait for a short time; to hold something tightly
B1
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Quick answer
Hang on = to wait for a short time. It can also mean to hold something tightly and not let go. Hang on a minute! = wait a minute! On the phone, hang on = wait, don't end the call. It is very informal and common when people speak.
Meanings of the phrasal verb
2.
to hold something tightly, not let go
common“Hang on tight!”
“She hung on to the rope.”
Synonyms: to hold on, to grip
3.
to stay on the phone, not end the call
common“Please hang on, I'll get him.”
Word order
Inseparable
The object goes after the particle, never between the verb and the particle.
Forms
- Present Simple:
- hang on
- Past Simple:
- hung on
- Past participle:
- hung on
- -ing form:
- hanging on
Common mistakes to avoid
Hang on is not hang up
Hang on = to wait and stay on the phone. Hang up = to end the call. On the phone, they are opposites! Don't hang up, hang on!
Hang on is not hang out
Hang on = to wait. Hang out = to spend free time somewhere, often with friends. The particle is different, and the meaning is very different.
Practice quiz
Question 1 / 3The Big Challenge question bank
Related pages: hang on
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Hang on: you understand the rule. Now practise it.
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English contestHang on: often tested in the English contest
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Frequently asked questions
What does hang on mean?+
Hang on has three meanings: (1) to wait for a short time (informal); (2) to hold something tightly and not let go; (3) to stay on the phone and not end the call. People use it a lot when they speak.
What is the difference between hang on and hold on?+
They are very close. Hang on is short and very informal. Hold on is a little more common in American English. Both work when you mean “wait a moment”.
Should I say hang on or wait?+
Wait is neutral: you can use it when you speak or write, even in formal English. Hang on is informal and spoken. With a friend: hang on a sec. In a formal message: please wait.
What is the past simple of hang on?+
Hung on, because hang is irregular: hang → hung → hung. She hung on to the rope = she held the rope tightly.
How do you ask someone to wait on the phone?+
Say Hold on, please, Hang on, please or Just a moment. They all mean the same. In formal English: Please hold (the line).
Related phrasal verbs
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/phrasal-verbs/hang-on
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.