CUNY - College of Staten Island - English Language Institute



CUNY - College of Staten Island: The English Language Institute (ELI) of the Center for Global Engagement has offered innovative academic programs for students learning English as a Second Language since the late 1970’s. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and ethnicity of New York City. Classes range from beginner to the advanced level.

Monday, November 10, 2014

HANG

The word "hang" is a verb meaning to "suspend from above with the lower part dangling free."
You can hang your clothes to dry or you can hang lights on a Christmas tree.

There are many expressions and idioms using the word "hang" with a preposition (resulting in phrasal verbs). These are just some examples:

1. Hang up
- (verb) to suspend, to delay, to impede.
Example: We hang up the phone to end a conversation. We can say that the construction project was hung up due to financial problems.  

2. Hang in/on
- (verb) to persevere
Example: He had trouble in school because of his English, and that sometimes made him want to quit. However, his family, friends and teachers encouraged him. Therefore, he decide to hang in there. He studied harder and got tutoring, and soon after he began to get better grades.

3. Hang on
- (verb) to wait for a short period of time, to cling tightly, to persevere
Example: Jane called Sue, and when Sue's mother answered the phone, Jane was told to "hang on" for a few minutes before Sue came to the phone.

4. Hang out
- (verb) to spend time with people or at a place (casually)
Example: Teens love to hang out with their friends at the mall on weekends.

5. Hang loose (very slangy)
- (verb) to relax
Example: When Tom started to get angry, his friend told him to "hang loose."





                                            this is a picture of hang glider in a bright blue sky
                                               courtesy of dreamstime.com

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