transitive verb
1.
a. : to place on a hook or hanger designed for the purpose
told the child to hang up his coat
b. : to place (a telephone receiver or earpiece) back on the hook or cradle so that the connection is broken
c. Australia : to tie (a horse) to a ring or post
d. : to cause (a tree) to catch in another tree in falling
2. : to keep delayed, suspended, or held up
the negotiations were hung up for a week by the illness of the prime minister
3. : to cause (a record) to be set : achieve
has hung up a record for the hundred-yard dash
4. : to cause to stick or snag immovably
the ship was hung up on a sandbar for two hours
intransitive verb
1. : to hang up a telephone receiver or earpiece
the speaker said goodbye and hung up abruptly
2. : to become stuck or snagged so as to be immovable
if the ship hangs up on a sandbar, we remove the passengers in lifeboats
3. : to break a trip (as by automobile) for a night's rest