hang1 verbhang2 noun
hanghang1 /hæŋ/ ●●● S1 W2 verb (past tense and past participle hung /hʌŋ/) 
VERB TABLE
hang
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | hang |
| he, she, it | hangs | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | hung, hanged |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have hung, hanged |
| he, she, it | has hung, hanged | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had hung, hanged |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will hang |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have hung, hanged |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am hanging |
| he, she, it | is hanging | |
| you, we, they | are hanging | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was hanging |
| you, we, they | were hanging | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been hanging |
| he, she, it | has been hanging | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been hanging |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be hanging |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been hanging |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Hang your coat on the hook.
- A picture of their parents hangs over the bedroom door.
- A small study for the painting hangs in the J. Paul Getty Museum.
- During the Civil War, Milligan hanged for treason.
- He stood very still, his arms hanging loosely, his feet apart.
- Hold one end of the rope in your hand and let the other end hang down.
- In the corner of the room was a large lamp, hanging from the ceiling.
- Most of the time we hang at my house.
- The children are hanging up the decorations for the party.
- The keys are hanging on a nail by the door.
- When are we going to hang the lights on the Christmas tree, Mommy?
- Where do you think we should hang it?
- A frame should complement the picture, but it may also relate to the room in which the painting hangs.
- A vast pink tongue was hanging out of the creature's mouth between a pair of the longest, sharpest teeth imaginable.
- And how had Brampton been hanged?
- Baker wants everyone to hang out and watch while at Scottsdale or on the road against National League teams...
- But he was hanging up her coat and appeared not to notice the edge on her voice.
- Meanwhile, with its future hanging in the balance, Fokker is starting to feel the pinch.
- That work involved hanging more than 380 individual pieces.
- We had the usual half-hour hanging about for Kerrison.
Longman Language Activatorashamed
someone who is ashamed feels very sorry about something they have done or embarrassed by something relating to them, so that they think people may no longer respect them: · I didn't want anyone to know I'd been fired because I felt ashamed.ashamed of: · She was so ashamed of cheating on the test that she went and told the teacher.· For a long time I was ashamed of my father and the fact he never finished school.ashamed about: · There's nothing to be ashamed about - lots of people have money problems.ashamed (that): · I realize now that you were telling the truth, and I'm ashamed that I didn't believe you.ashamed to do something: · She really needed me but - I'm ashamed to admit it - I didn't help her.ashamed of yourself: · You ought to be ashamed of yourself - coming home drunk like that!bitterly/deeply ashamed: · The knowledge that I had caused him to lose his job made me bitterly ashamed.
feeling very ashamed and upset, especially because you have been made to look weak or stupid and you think that no one will respect you: · Ross yelled at me in front of the whole office - I've never been so humiliated in my life!· Many women who have been assaulted feel too frightened and humiliated to report their ordeal.
to be so ashamed about something you have done to someone that you find it difficult to be with them or talk to them: · I'm so embarrassed - I'll never be able to look her in the face again.· After the layoffs were announced, I couldn't look any of the people on the shop floor in the face.
showing in the expression on your face that you are ashamed about something and you know you have behaved badly: · He came to my office, shamefaced, to apologize.· A shamefaced spokesperson admitted that mistakes had been made.
to look ashamed: · He bowed his head in shame as the details of his arrest were read out in court.
spoken use this to tell someone that they should feel shame because of something they have done: · Shame on you for lying to your grandmother!
to attach something to a wall etc, especially so that it can be seen to attach something to a wall, such as a picture or notice, so that it can be seen: put something up: · Sarah had put posters up all around her room.· Shall I put it up opposite the mirror?put up something: · Someone's put up a notice in the library offering childcare for $11 an hour.· We want to put up an art display at the end of the year to show off the students' work.
to attach something to a wall, tree etc so that it can be seen, especially by using string or wire: · Where do you think we should hang it?hang something on: · When are we going to hang the lights on the Christmas tree, Mommy?hang up something/hang something up: · The children are hanging up the decorations for the party.· She hung it up on the bulletin board in the staff room.
when something hangs down · He stood very still, his arms hanging loosely, his feet apart.hang from · In the corner of the room was a large lamp, hanging from the ceiling.· The watch was on a gold chain that hung from his belt.hang down · Hold one end of the rope in your hand and let the other end hang down.hang on/under/next to etc · The keys are hanging on a nail by the door.· A picture of their parents hangs over the bedroom door.
to hang loosely, moving slightly from side to side: dangle from: · Dangling from her ears were two large gold earrings.· He dangled helplessly from the cliff, trying not to look down.dangle in/over/next to etc: · We sat on the edge of the pool with our legs dangling in the water.
to be hanging from a high position: be suspended by: · A row of hares were suspended by their feet outside the butcher's shop.be suspended from: · All sorts of artefacts were suspended from the ceiling.
to move from side to side while hanging from a higher position, or to make something do this: swing from: · A lantern swung from a hook in the roof.· A small jewelled cross swung from a gold chain around her neck.
ideas that are logical ideas, decisions etc that are logical are based on a series of facts or ideas connected in a correct and intelligent way: · Your essay ought to take the form of a logical argument.· There is no logical reason for teaching boys and girls separately.take something to its logical conclusion: · If you took the anti-war arguments to their logical conclusion, you would destroy all weapons.it is logical to do something: · If they did not leave until yesterday, then it is logical to assume that they will arrive some time tomorrow.
reasons, ideas, advice etc that are sound are logical and sensible, and it is easy to agree with them or believe that they are right: · The company offers sound financial advice to individuals and businesses.· Is recycling glass a sound idea?· There is no sound reason for the closure of this factory.
an idea, decision or plan that makes sense is logical and easy to understand: · His arguments seem to make sense.it makes sense for something to happen: · It would make sense for the parents to be involved in this discussion.
a way of thinking, explanation, idea etc that is rational is very logical and is based on clear practical or scientific reasons, rather than on your feelings or wishes: · We're looking for someone with a rational approach to dealing with problems.· There must be some rational explanation for this apparently bizarre phenomenon.· There appears to be no rational motive for the attack.
something that is reasonable seems to be logical and likely to be true because of what you know of the situation: · It is a reasonable assumption that she knew him well, as she had the keys to his house.· Given that the patient smokes 50 cigarettes a day, it would be reasonable to assume there is some lung damage.
a reasoned way of thinking about something is logical and has been thought about very carefully: · We must have an informed and reasoned debate of the moral issues involved.· It became clear that calm, reasoned arguments were not working in this volatile situation.
a well-thought-out plan or way of doing something is carefully and logically planned: · Before we can apply for funding, we must have strong, well-thought-out proposals.· a well-thought-out strategy
words, thoughts or ideas that are coherent are arranged in an order that makes them easy to understand: · He couldn't give a coherent account of what he'd been doing that night.· His book contains a coherent argument in favour of economic change.
informal if a piece of writing or an explanation hangs together , it is easy to understand because its parts are connected in a way that seems natural and logical: · Her story doesn't hang together very well.
informal if a set of facts add up , they are logically connected so they provide a reasonable explanation of a situation: · I can see now that George was planning this all along - it all adds up.
when something unpleasant is going to happen soon if a problem or difficulty looms , it is likely to happen soon: · As the day of my interview loomed, I became increasingly nervous.· With the prospect of bankruptcy looming, life is getting tough for small businesses.
if something dangerous or unpleasant hangs over you, it is likely to happen soon and this makes you feel worried and nervous: · The threat of nuclear war hangs over mankind.· With the court case hanging over us, we couldn't enjoy our vacation.
if problems, difficulties, arguments etc are brewing , they are starting to develop and will probably happen soon: · Union bosses fear that a strike is brewing in the coal industry.· A major political row over the European question had been brewing for some time.
an impending event or situation, especially an unpleasant one, is going to happen very soon: · Extra troops were usually a sign of an impending attack.· We were sorry to hear about Arlene's impending divorce.· warnings of an impending ecological disaster
to spend time to spend time somewhere, with someone, or doing something: spend time: · I never seem to have any time to spend with the children.spend an hour/two days/a week etc: · Dani spends hours on the phone.spend an hour/two days/a week etc doing something: · Fay spent a year in Italy teaching English.· He spent the whole morning reading the report.
to spend time doing something unimportant, because you have nothing else to do: · I started doing a crossword to pass the time .pass the time doing something: · The security guards used to pass their time playing cards.
: kill time/a couple of hours etc informal to do something in order to make time seem to pass more quickly while you are waiting for something: · I was early, so I sat in a café, killing time.· The train doesn't leave till two, so we have a couple of hours to kill.
to keep yourself busy doing things, especially because you cannot think of anything else to do or to stop yourself from getting bored: busy yourself doing something: · Martin sat down nervously and busied himself rearranging the papers on his desk.busy yourself with: · Mrs Smithers pottered about busying herself with light household tasks.
informal to often spend a lot of your time in a particular place or with a particular person or group: · You'll probably find Dave at the pool hall -- he often hangs out there.hang out with: · I used to hang out with them when I was at college.
to end a telephone call to finish a telephone conversation or stop it before it has finished by putting down the receiver (=the part of a telephone you speak into): · If a caller is rude, just hang up.hang up the phone/receiver: · I said I'd be right there. I hung up the phone and grabbed my purse and car keys.hang up on somebody (=put the telephone down while someone is still talking): · Mitchell was furious and hung up on him.
especially British to put down the receiver (=the part of a telephone you speak into) after you have finished talking to someone: · There was a long pause, and she was about to put the phone down when the voice came back again.
to put the telephone down while someone is still speaking to you, because you are angry: · Call her. The worst thing she could do is slam down the phone.slam the phone down/slam down the phone on: · He tried to talk to her, but she slammed the phone down on him.
if you get cut off or get disconnected when you are making a telephone call, the telephone suddenly stops working in the middle of your conversation and you cannot continue: · We got cut off in the middle of the conversation.· I don't know what happened, we just got disconnected.
British to end a telephone call: · I suppose I'd better ring off now -- we've been on the phone for over an hour.
to wait to spend time not doing very much, while you are expecting something to happen or expecting someone to arrive: · Wait here until I get back.· Hurry up, everyone's waiting.wait for somebody: · I'll stay here and wait for Suzie.wait for something: · We spent almost an hour just waiting for the bus.wait (for) a minute/two hours/a long time etc: · Where have you been? I've been waiting since 7:00.· You'll have to wait a few minutes - I'm not ready yet.wait to do something: · Are you waiting to use the phone?wait for somebody/something to do something: · She waited for him to reply.· He waited for the applause to die down before he continued speaking.keep somebody waiting (=make someone wait, for example by arriving late): · I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.wait and see (=wait to find out what will happen): · I've done as much as I can - now all I can do is wait and see what happens.wait-and-see attitude/position/approach etc: · The airline industry has adopted a wait-and-see attitude to the report's proposals.
spoken to wait, especially in a difficult situation, hoping that something good will happen: · Captain Damas decided it was best to hold on and wait for the other ship to arrive.· We knew that if we hung on long enough, things were bound to change.
also hang about British informal informal to wait in one place without doing anything, so that you are wasting time: · Sally hung around for over an hour but no-one came.· I wish we could get on with the job. I hate all this hanging about.hang around for British: · We spent half an hour hanging about for Kerry.hang around for hours/ages etc: · We were hanging around for hours before they opened the gates.keep somebody hanging around: · We can't keep our troops hanging around forever, doing nothing.
to wait and be ready to do something if needed: · The family stood by, knowing that she might wake up any minute.stand by for: · The crew was ordered to stand by for take-off.stand by to do something: · The Foreign Minister had a helicopter standing by to whisk him to the northern city of Afula.
to wait before doing something that other people are also waiting to do, because some of them have the right to do it before you: · Everyone has to wait their turn.wait your turn to do something: · A long line of people waited their turn to shake his hand.
to wait until something has finished, especially something unpleasant or boring: sit it out: · If the plane's late, there's nothing we can do except sit it out.sit something out: · Tony forced himself to sit the play out.sit out something: · Like many people in the community, we sat out the storm at home, hoping no disasters would occur.
formal to wait for something: · The committee is awaiting a decision from head office before it takes any action.· Two men have been charged with murder and are now in prison awaiting trial.
used to describe things that you have waited for for a long time: · The next morning we received the long-awaited order to attack.· It is hoped that these measures will trigger the long-awaited upturn in the economy.
WORD SETSalarmed, adjectiveallegation, nounamnesty, nounbail, nounbreath test, nouncharge sheet, nouncircumstantial, adjectivecompensation, nouncompensatory, adjectivecomplicity, nouncondemned, adjectivecondemned cell, nounconfess, verbconfession, nounconman, nouncontraband, nouncuff, verbdebug, verbdetain, verbdick, nounenforce, verbfed, nounFederal Bureau of Investigation, nounflogging, nounforensic, adjectivegallows, noungaolbird, noungas chamber, noungibbet, nounguillotine, nounhang, verbhanging, nounhard labour, nounimpeach, verbKC, nounlaunder, verblawsuit, nounleg irons, nounlicensed, adjectivelicensing laws, nounlife, nounlife sentence, nounline-up, nounlynch, verblynch mob, nounpenalty point, nounpenology, nounpolygraph, nounposse, nounprisoner, nounracket, nounracketeer, nounracketeering, nounrake-off, nounransom, nounransom, verbreport, verbreprieve, nounriot, nounshop, verbsilk, nounspeed trap, nounstalker, nounstrip search, nountransport, verbtransportation, nountribunal, nounundercover, adjectivevictim, nounwrongdoing, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
We spent the afternoon hanging wallpaper. Daphne had hung her head in shame. Hang the wet things out to dry. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She grasped the side of the boat and hung on for dear life. Her dress hung in soft folds. She’s got a real hang-up about her body. His arms were hanging limply. Can you help me hang this painting (=put it on a wall)? The treaty hung like a sword of Damocles over French politics.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
We spent the afternoon hanging wallpaper. Daphne had hung her head in shame. Hang the wet things out to dry. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head. (=for putting plants in and hanging outside)· All the shops had hanging baskets outside their doors.
· Heavy grey clouds hung low in the sky.
· Bright red curtains hung cheerfully at all the windows.
(=fix new curtains at a window)· She was standing on a ladder hanging some new curtains.
She grasped the side of the boat and hung on for dear life. Her dress hung in soft folds.· Many of her pictures hang in the National Gallery of Canada.
She’s got a real hang-up about her body. (=look down, especially because you are ashamed)· She hung her head, not sure how to reply.
(=one that cannot agree whether someone is guilty of a crime)· The trial ended with a hung jury.
(=put the laundry outside on a line to dry)· My mother was hanging out the laundry in the sun.
His arms were hanging limply. (=stays in a place)· A thick mist lay on the hills.
literary (=stays there for a long time)· The moon hung over the quiet sea.
Can you help me hang this painting (=put it on a wall)?· Three pictures hung on the wall over his bed.
(=wait a short time) ‘Is Al there?’ ‘Hold on a sec, I’ll check.’
‘Is Al there?’ ‘Hold on a sec, I’ll check.’ (=look down, or feel like you should look down, because you feel so ashamed) I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her.
I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her. The treaty hung like a sword of Damocles over French politics.· She looked tall in her long white nightdress, her long dark hair hanging down her back to her waist.· There it stood, with its lifeless leather seat hanging down under the weight of absolutely nothing.· The sheets lay tangled, hanging down on the threadbare carpet.· She was wearing a long white gown, her hair hanging down, like a crazy woman.· The stomach and bowels feel relaxed as if hanging down.· You know Franco has a little tap hanging down under his tummy?· Mackey sat with his right arm out the window, hanging down along the door.
· He hangs in shades the orange bright Like golden lamps in a green night.· Late-ripening oranges, such as Valencias, can hang in through mid-May.· The best of course will hang in there and tough it out.· The hitter had to hang in there until he hit the ball or struck out.· His biggest problem is the seemingly resolute determination of Pat Buchanan and Steve Forbes to hang in.· We were, Jess and I, still hanging in with each other despite the clear difficulties.
· None of it hangs together, and I can't think what's happening.· The idea was to hang together, keep in touch with the audience and maybe make a few bucks.· Is there any mechanism to make a particular committee hang together?· Some guitars hang together design-wise, and some don't.· This was an exhibition with great intent but as a whole, it did not hang together well.· By the end of the decade Monroe's marriage was only just hanging together.· When the item is starting to hang together and the class is settling dow, don't go back on your decisions.
NOUN· The future of the refuge still hangs in the balance.· The possibility of a nuclear exchange continued to hang in the balance.· Which Minister is the pits with the miners whose livelihoods now hang in the balance?· Meanwhile, with its future hanging in the balance, Fokker is starting to feel the pinch.· His career, much more than mine, hangs in the balance.· That prohibition still persists, and legislation to open the nation's woodlands up to its people hangs in the balance.· But because public health hangs in the balance, experts are already seeking changes in food policy.
· Rugby hangs its hat on the international game but that's also where the funds come from for the grass-roots development.
· Safin still indulges in some fretting and head hanging, racket dropping and occasionally racket kicking.· I feel that somewhere over my head is hanging some kind of spirituality.· There were heads hanging from branches in these places, which gleamed as if oiled.
· A jade-green pendant on a chain was hanging around her neck.· It comes with a gold medal that kids can hang around their necks.· They shuffled forward in a dazed manner holding hands, their labels hanging round their necks.· From time to time, she fingered the heart pendant and religious medallion that now hang around her neck.· Harrison didn't exactly avoid us, but he made it clear that we were not to hang around his neck.· Rincewind looked down at the iconograph, still hanging around his neck.· I certainly don't want you hanging around my neck, if that's what's worrying you.· But don't underestimate the impact of the sartorial noose that hangs around your neck.
· Oil paintings in gold frames hang on pale pink painted walls.· Paul Collins's magnificent paintings hang in prestigious galleries and museums around the world.· Several of his paintings still hang at School.· With just a few basic materials, I now have paintings hanging on walls in relatives homes.· Many of these paintings now hang in Chartwell in Britain.· Another unusual feature is the oil paintings hanging in the church, a remembrance of the old Romish customs.
· If the bolts were responsible, then a further question mark will hang over the future of the industry.· There were a lot of those questions still hanging.· The question of motive hangs over these first pages, and over the whole novel.· Shocked by the weird question I hang up, but I immediately regret my automatic response.· But a question mark still hangs over when the remaining 550 pupils can return.· A question mark now hangs over the funding of the initiative, which covers 90 per cent of the country.· Everywhere an unspoken question seemed to hang heavily in the air: Would we have been better off without Home Rule?
· You picture a rope you could hang a man from, you're seeing its tail.· We talk about grabbing a rope and everybody hanging on.· In the garage Mr Carbert said he noticed an old rope hanging down from one of the beams.· Attached to it was a sash cord, linked to a rope hanging down to the track.· It is a rope to hang ourselves, or a chain to link together diverse peoples.
· He was in the House at the time, so he should hang his head in shame.· Father Time wouldn't have been alone in hanging his head in shame.
· His job is hanging by a thread, as it is.· Ed was just hanging by a thread.· Liputin's teeth are by no means the only things that hang by a thread.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► leave something hanging in the air► I’ll be hanged if► be hung with something► hang something► I/you might as well be hanged for a sheep as (for) a lamb► hang about!► hang on!► hang something ↔ out► hang somebody out to dry► hang something ↔ up► hang up your hat/football boots/briefcase etcPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► hanging/shooting etc is too good for somebody► hold/hang on for/like grim death► time hangs/lies heavy on your hands► be hung-up about/on something► wait a minute/just a minute/hold on a minute/hang on a minute► a peg to hang something on► there is a question mark over something/a question mark hangs over something► give somebody enough rope to hang themselves► hang out your shingle
- World leaders are meeting to discuss the situation, with peace in the region hanging in the balance.
- But because public health hangs in the balance, experts are already seeking changes in food policy.
- His career, much more than mine, hangs in the balance.
- Meanwhile, with its future hanging in the balance, Fokker is starting to feel the pinch.
- That prohibition still persists, and legislation to open the nation's woodlands up to its people hangs in the balance.
- The future of the refuge still hangs in the balance.
- The possibility of a nuclear exchange continued to hang in the balance.
- Which Minister is the pits with the miners whose livelihoods now hang in the balance?
- Ed was just hanging by a thread.
- His job is hanging by a thread, as it is.
- Hopes of a title hat-trick hang by a thread, but all is not quite lost.
- Liputin's teeth are by no means the only things that hang by a thread.
- But I was hanging in there academically.
- Can you kind of hang in there to uh to maybe uh later on this evening, okay.
- Do you hang in there, or cut your losses?
- If this type of interviewer senses a weak spot he or she will hang on in there - mercilessly.
- In the meantime, just hang on in there.
- The hitter had to hang in there until he hit the ball or struck out.
- Ultimately, the more authentic, life-affirming religious manifestations hang in there amid, and despite, the darkness of human striving.
- When he is excited and enthusiastic, hang in there an extra minute to respond to his words and happy expressions.
- Father Time wouldn't have been alone in hanging his head in shame.
- He cries, whines, and just goes and sits over there and hangs his head down.
- He was in the House at the time, so he should hang his head in shame.
- I could see from his silhouette in the starlight that he was hanging his head.
- I realized I had no reason to hang my head.
- She did not, now, want to see him dismissed, led away hanging his head.
- She refused to be cowardly and hang her head.
- But while their charges hang fire for three or four years, the company has made its joint.
- The case is hanging fire for the moment, pending some changes in the paperwork filed so far.
- Go straight on Vista for two blocks then hang a left.
- First, there is that bizarre enormous mythic metal fish that hangs right inside the doorway.
- I was just in time to see the Sierra hang a left once over the railway.
- Adrienne paused to scan her face before taking her coat and hanging it in the closet.
- And you can hang it up.
- He hangs it out of sight, through a curtained doorway next to the bar.
- He weaves an apple blossom wreath and hangs it from a branch.
- Take off your coat and hang it up.
- Their decision to hang it on a beam in the barn was an acknowledgment of how little it belonged.
- They looked around for somewhere to hang it.
- For a while they hang about on trees; then they die, fall off and lie about on the ground.
- I didn't hang about getting to Armstrong and getting him started and headed back to Plumstead Road.
- I used to hang about the school waiting for him to come out.
- No birds, no booze, no groupies hanging about.
- Now they're off and married, so we hang about and get the trouble.
- Sometimes the men hang about, especially around the younger women.
- There the loading was still under way and the women were still hanging about.
- This one had lustreless brown hair, very straight, hanging about a pale, underground face.
- A few still hang on today, but in large sections of the mountains a living dogwood is nowhere to be seen.
- But hang on - there's Bambi!
- If she wanted to hang on to the shreds of her professional reputation she'd better start by controlling her haywire emotions.
- Pros: Lots of pyrotechnics and effects, plenty of twists and turns that keep you hanging on.
- The sight of him hanging on the Cross - are we really supposed to worship that, defeat and death?
- They are for ever hanging on by their fingernails.
- With just a few basic materials, I now have paintings hanging on walls in relatives homes.
- You can escape if you answer puzzles, games and questions about the great works of art hanging on the walls.
- And the children of Elvis did hang on his every word.
- As a result, you find yourself hanging on to every word and gesture.
- We weren't all hanging on your every word anyway, even back then.
- Each time you let it all hang out, you lower your threshold for doing it again.
- My face resembled the back of one of those baboons who let it all hang out at mating time.
- Now you can anonymously let it all hang out online.
- Was it possible to go too far, or should he just let it all hang out?
- We let it all hang out.
- There were cupboards hanging open, mattresses overturned and a bottle of sour milk stood in the sink.
- His career as a politician hung in the balance.
- I can't say what the outcome of the talks will be -- they're very much in the balance at the moment.
- The negotiations are continuing, with prospects for peace hanging in the balance.
- The survival of the African elephant hangs in the balance.
- But because public health hangs in the balance, experts are already seeking changes in food policy.
- His career, much more than mine, hangs in the balance.
- Meanwhile, with its future hanging in the balance, Fokker is starting to feel the pinch.
- That prohibition still persists, and legislation to open the nation's woodlands up to its people hangs in the balance.
- The future of the refuge still hangs in the balance.
- The possibility of a nuclear exchange continued to hang in the balance.
- Which Minister is the pits with the miners whose livelihoods now hang in the balance?
- Down a partly overgrown lane we stop outside a trailer which has a huge panel hanging loose revealing some yellow-green insulation material.
- Now maybe I jus' wan na hang loose.
- He was a skinhead, and had a line of swastikas tattooed around his neck.
- She attached a cord and started wearing them around her neck.
- The Doctor hooked the handle of his umbrella over his top pocket and pulled his paisley scarf from around his neck.
- The king wore it on a ribbon around his neck on ceremonial occasions.
- The lead Hunter appeared to have a mane around its neck.
- Until my first New York winter rain, when the fake fur matted around my neck, wrists and knees.
WORD FAMILYnounhangerhangingoverhangverbhangoverhangadjectivehanging
1top part fastened a)[transitive always + adverb/preposition] (also hang up) to put something in a position so that the top part is fixed or supported, and the bottom part is free to move and does not touch the ground: Philip hung his coat on a hook behind the door. She hung the sheets on the washing line. b)[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to be in a position where the top part is fixed or supported, and the bottom part is free to move and does not touch the ground: An old-fashioned gas lamp hung from the ceiling. Her long hair hung loose about her shoulders. The shirt hung down almost to his ankles.2picture etc a)[transitive] to fix a picture, photograph etc to a wall: I wanted to hang the picture in the hall. b)[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a picture, photograph etc is hanging somewhere, it is fixed to a wall: There was a family photograph hanging on the wall. c)be hung with something if the walls of a room are hung with pictures or decorations, the pictures etc are on the walls: The entrance hall was hung with rich tapestries.3kill/be killed (past tense and past participle hanged) [intransitive, transitive] to kill someone by dropping them with a rope around their neck, or to die in this way, especially as a punishment for a serious crimebe hanged for something He was hanged for murder.hang yourself Corey hanged himself in his prison cell. If he is found guilty, he will almost certainly hang.4paper [transitive] to fasten attractive paper to a wall in order to decorate a room: We spent the afternoon hanging wallpaper.5door [transitive] to fasten a door in position: Hanging a door is quite a tricky job.6mist/smoke/smell [intransitive + adverb/preposition] if something such as smoke hangs in the air, it stays in the air for a long time: The smoke from the bonfires hung in the air. A thick mist hung over the town.7hang open if a door, someone’s mouth etc hangs open, it is open8hang in the balance if something hangs in the balance, it is not certain what will happen to it: The future of the company hangs in the balance.9hang by a thread if something is hanging by a thread, it is in a very dangerous situation and may not continue: He is still in hospital, his life hanging by a thread.10hang (on) in there (also hang tough especially American English) spoken to remain brave and determined when you are in a difficult situation: Don’t worry. Just hang on in there.11hang your head to look ashamed and embarrassed: She hung her head, not sure how to reply. Daphne had hung her head in shame.12hang fire to wait for a short while before you do something: I think we should hang fire for a week.13 leave something hanging in the air to leave something in a situation where it has not been explained, completed, or dealt with: His resignation has left some important questions hanging in the air.14hang a right/left American English spoken to turn right or left when driving: Go straight on for two blocks, then hang a left.15[intransitive] American English spoken to spend time somewhere, relaxing and enjoying yourselfhang with We were just hanging with the dudes at Mike’s house.16I’ll be hanged if British English old-fashioned used to express annoyance or to say that you will not allow something to happen: I’ll be hanged if I’ll give them any money!17hang it (all) British English old-fashioned used to say that you are disappointed or annoyed about something18hang something British English old-fashioned used to say that you are not going to do something: Oh hang the report, let’s go for a drink.19I/you might as well be hanged for a sheep as (for) a lamb used to say that, if a small action may have the same bad results for you as a larger one, there is no reason for not doing the larger thinghang about phrasal verb British English1spoken to move slowly or take too long doing something: Come on, we haven’t got time to hang about!2hang about (something) to spend time somewhere without any real purpose: There were always groups of boys hanging about in the square. He normally hung about the house all day.3hang about! spoken a)used to ask someone to wait or stop what they are doing b)used when you have just noticed or thought of something that is interesting or wrong: Hang about – that can’t be right.hang about with somebody phrasal verb British English informal to spend a lot of time with someonehang around/round (something) phrasal verb informal to wait or spend time somewhere, doing nothing: I hung around the station for an hour but he never came.hang around with somebody phrasal verb to spend a lot of time with someone: The people I used to hang around with were much older than me.hang back phrasal verb1to stay a short distance away from someone or something, and not go too near them: Instinctively he hung back in the shelter of a rock.2to not say or do something because you are shy or afraidhang on phrasal verb1to hold something tightlyhang on to She hung on to the side of the cart. Hang on tight!2hang on! British English spoken a)used to ask or tell someone to wait SYN hold on: Hang on! I’ll be back in a minute. b)used when you have just noticed or thought of something that is interesting or wrong3 hang on something to depend on something: Everything hangs on the outcome of this meeting.4hang on somebody’s words/every word to pay close attention to everything someone is saying: She was watching his face, hanging on his every word.hang on to something (also hang onto something) phrasal verb to keep something: I think I’ll hang on to the documents for a bit longer.hang out phrasal verb1informal to spend a lot of time in a particular place or with particular peoplehang out with I don’t really know who she hangs out with. Where do the youngsters hang out? → hangout2hang something ↔ out to hang clothes outside in order to dry them: My job was to hang out the washing. Hang the wet things out to dry.3let it all hang out informal to relax and do what you like4hang somebody out to dry to not give someone support in a difficult situation, for example to let someone else get all the blame for somethinghang over something/somebody phrasal verb if something bad is hanging over you, you are worried or anxious about it: The threat of redundancy was still hanging over us. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head.hang together phrasal verb1if a plan, story, set of ideas etc hangs together, it is well organized and its different parts go well together: Her story just doesn’t hang together.2if people hang together, they help each otherhang up phrasal verb1to finish a telephone conversation: I said goodbye and hung up.hang up on Don’t hang up on me.2hang something ↔ up to hang clothes on a hook etc: She took her coat off and hung it up.3hang up your hat/football boots/briefcase etc informal to stop doing a particular kind of work → hang-up, hung-uphang1 verbhang2 noun
hanghang2 ●○○ noun EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Floy had begun to get the hang of riding after a while.
- He side-slipped neatly; he was getting the hang of the thing.
- His great-grandson could have taken Paul by the hand and helped everyone get the hang ofit.
- I've got the hang of it now.
- I got out of the hang of it.
Longman Language Activatorto learn how to do something, or learn about something
to learn how to do something, or to learn about a subject, especially by being taught or trained: · How long have you been learning German?· The CD is specially designed to let children learn at their own pace.learn to do something: · His daughter's learning to drive.· William learned to read when he was four.learn how to do something (=learn a method or skill): · On this course, you will learn how to deal with communication problems.· How long did it take you to learn how to do this?learn about: · Before you sail, you need to learn about basic boat controls.· Our children attend the group twice a week to learn about Sikhism.
to learn about a subject by reading books and going to classes at a school or university: study English/Biology/Music etc: · Less than 10% of girls choose to study Science at school.· She's studying Music at Berkeley College in Boston.· My parents first met when dad was studying in England.study to be a doctor/lawyer/accountant etc: · He's studying to be a lawyer.· Dad thinks I should study to be a doctor, but I'm not interested in medicine.study for a test/diploma/an examination: · "Is Ian coming with us?" "He can't - he's studying for his exams."· Alan hardly studied for the test, but he still passed.
to learn the skills and get the experience that you need in order to do a job: · Chris trained at an airbase in Honduras. train to be a hairdresser/teacher/pilot/nurse etc: · Julie is training to be a nurse.· Her husband trained to be an auto mechanic, but he can't find a job.train for a job/career/occupation: · Melanie trained for a career in music, but switched to photography in her early thirties.· We want to encourage people who left school early to train for better jobs.
informal to learn something easily, without making much effort or having lessons: pick up something: · I picked up a few words of Turkish when I was in Istanbul.pick something up: · The rules are really easy - you'll pick them up.· Roy's a bright little boy, and he picks things up really quickly.
spoken to learn how to do something that is fairly complicated: · Using the software isn't difficult once you get the hang of it.· It took me ages to get the hang of using chopsticks.· That's it. You're getting the hang of it now.
to learn a skill or a language completely so that you have no difficulty with it: · It takes years to master the art of weaving.· She soon got to know the local customs and eventually mastered the language.· Children have usually mastered the concepts of weight and length by the age of 8.
also familiarise British to learn about a subject, or how to do something, especially by reading books, notices, instructions etc, because you know you are going to need this knowledge in the future: · She prepared for the interview by familiarizing herself with all aspects of the company's work.· You must familiarize yourself with the evacuation procedure in case of a fire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She grasped the side of the boat and hung on for dear life. Her dress hung in soft folds. She’s got a real hang-up about her body. His arms were hanging limply. Can you help me hang this painting (=put it on a wall)? The treaty hung like a sword of Damocles over French politics.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
(=for putting plants in and hanging outside)· All the shops had hanging baskets outside their doors.
· Heavy grey clouds hung low in the sky.
· Bright red curtains hung cheerfully at all the windows.
(=fix new curtains at a window)· She was standing on a ladder hanging some new curtains.
She grasped the side of the boat and hung on for dear life. Her dress hung in soft folds.· Many of her pictures hang in the National Gallery of Canada.
She’s got a real hang-up about her body. (=look down, especially because you are ashamed)· She hung her head, not sure how to reply.
(=one that cannot agree whether someone is guilty of a crime)· The trial ended with a hung jury.
(=put the laundry outside on a line to dry)· My mother was hanging out the laundry in the sun.
His arms were hanging limply. (=stays in a place)· A thick mist lay on the hills.
literary (=stays there for a long time)· The moon hung over the quiet sea.
Can you help me hang this painting (=put it on a wall)?· Three pictures hung on the wall over his bed.
(=wait a short time) ‘Is Al there?’ ‘Hold on a sec, I’ll check.’
‘Is Al there?’ ‘Hold on a sec, I’ll check.’ (=look down, or feel like you should look down, because you feel so ashamed) I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her.
I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her. The treaty hung like a sword of Damocles over French politics.· They were concerned that the object might have been a hang glider who'd got into difficulty.· Each hang glider takes one set of sails.· Day 8 Received an order for 20 hang gliders at £400 each together with a cheque for £8,000.· At this stage it was possible to do some preliminary calculations relating to the manufacture of each hang glider.· Day 15 Received an order for another 200 hang gliders at a price of £250 each.· A hang glider, piloted by a gorilla playing a saxophone, made several sweeps round the Houses of Parliament.
VERB· I haven't played it in a week, I was just getting the hang of it.· I expect those boys will keep busy getting the hang of things.· After that she got the hang of what was news.· She would never get the hang of this new country.· He side-slipped neatly; he was getting the hang of the thing.· I never got the hang of this game.· She said she thought she was beginning to get the hang of it.· I got out of the hang of it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► hanging/shooting etc is too good for somebody► hold/hang on for/like grim death► time hangs/lies heavy on your hands► be hung-up about/on something► wait a minute/just a minute/hold on a minute/hang on a minute► a peg to hang something on► there is a question mark over something/a question mark hangs over something► give somebody enough rope to hang themselves► hang out your shingle
get the hang of something informal to learn how to do something or use something: - After that she got the hang of what was news.
- He side-slipped neatly; he was getting the hang of the thing.
- I've got the hang of it now.
- I haven't played it in a week, I was just getting the hang of it.
- I increasingly got the hang of handling Berni.
- It can get tough, but you will get the hang of it.
- Once around the course is all it takes to get the hang of it.
- She would never get the hang of this new country.
- His career as a politician hung in the balance.
- I can't say what the outcome of the talks will be -- they're very much in the balance at the moment.
- The negotiations are continuing, with prospects for peace hanging in the balance.
- The survival of the African elephant hangs in the balance.
- But because public health hangs in the balance, experts are already seeking changes in food policy.
- His career, much more than mine, hangs in the balance.
- Meanwhile, with its future hanging in the balance, Fokker is starting to feel the pinch.
- That prohibition still persists, and legislation to open the nation's woodlands up to its people hangs in the balance.
- The future of the refuge still hangs in the balance.
- The possibility of a nuclear exchange continued to hang in the balance.
- Which Minister is the pits with the miners whose livelihoods now hang in the balance?
- Down a partly overgrown lane we stop outside a trailer which has a huge panel hanging loose revealing some yellow-green insulation material.
- Now maybe I jus' wan na hang loose.
- He was a skinhead, and had a line of swastikas tattooed around his neck.
- She attached a cord and started wearing them around her neck.
- The Doctor hooked the handle of his umbrella over his top pocket and pulled his paisley scarf from around his neck.
- The king wore it on a ribbon around his neck on ceremonial occasions.
- The lead Hunter appeared to have a mane around its neck.
- Until my first New York winter rain, when the fake fur matted around my neck, wrists and knees.
It seems difficult at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.