Phrasal Verbs
- 1to hold something tightly Hang on tight—we're off! Thesaurushold
- hold on
- cling
- clutch
- grip
- grasp
- clasp
- hang on
- hold to have something or someone in your hand or arms:She was holding a large box. I held the baby gently in my arms.
- hold on (to somebody/something) to continue to hold something or someone; to put your hand on something or someone and not take your hand away:Hold on and don't let go until I say so.
- cling to hold on to something or someone tightly, especially with your whole body:Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.
- clutch to hold something or someone tightly, especially in your hand; to take hold of something suddenly:She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand. He felt himself slipping and clutched at a branch.
- grip to hold on to something very tightly with your hand:Grip the rope as tightly as you can.
- grasp to take hold of something firmly:He grasped my hand and shook it warmly.
- clasp (formal) to hold something or someone tightly in your hand or in your arms:They clasped hands (= held each other's hands). She clasped the children to her breast. The object of clasp is often your hands, someone else's hand, or another person.
- hang on (to something) to hold on to something very tightly, especially in order to support yourself or stop yourself from falling:Hang on to the safety rope in case you slip and fall.
- to hold/clutch/grip/clasp something in your hand/hands
- to hold/clasp somebody/something in your arms
- to hold/hang on to something
- to hold/cling/hang on
- to hold/clutch/clasp somebody/something to you
- to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tightly
- to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp somebody/something firmly
- to hold/hold on to/clutch/grip/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tight
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- 2(informal) used to ask someone to wait for a short time or to stop what they are doing Hang on—I'm not quite ready. Now hang on a minute—you can't really believe what you just said!
- 3to wait for something to happen I haven't heard about the new job yet—they've kept me hanging on for days.
- 4(informal) used on the telephone to ask someone who is calling to wait until they can talk to the person they want Hang on—I'll just see if he's here.
- 5to continue doing something in difficult circumstances The team hung on for victory.
to depend on something A lot hangs on this decision.