(~s, ~ing, hung, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
Note: The form 'hung' is used as the past tense and past participle. The form '~ed' is used as the past tense for meaning 5.
1.
If something ~s in a high place or position, or if you ~ it there, it is attached there so it does not touch the ground.
Notices painted on sheets ~ at every entrance...
...small ~ing lanterns...
They saw a young woman come out of the house to ~ clothes on a line.
VERB: V prep/adv, V-ing, V n prep/adv
•
Hang up means the same as ~ .
I found his jacket, which was ~ing up in the hallway...
Some prisoners climbed onto the roof and hung up a banner.
PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
2.
If a piece of clothing or fabric ~s in a particular way or position, that is how it is worn or arranged.
...a ragged fur coat that hung down to her calves...
VERB: V adv/prep
3.
If something ~s loose or ~s open, it is partly fixed in position, but is not firmly held, supported, or controlled, often in such a way that it moves freely.
...her long golden hair which hung loose about her shoulders...
VERB: V adj
4.
If something such as a wall is hung with pictures or other objects, they are attached to it.
The walls were hung with huge modern paintings.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed with n
5.
If someone is ~ed or if they ~, they are killed, usually as a punishment, by having a rope tied around their neck and the support taken away from under their feet.
The five were expected to be ~ed at 7 am on Tuesday...
It is right that their murderers should ~...
He ~ed himself two hours after arriving at a mental hospital.
VERB: be V-ed, V, V pron-refl
~ing (~ings)
Four steamboat loads of spectators came to view a ~ing in New Orleans.
N-VAR
6.
If something such as someone’s breath or smoke ~s in the air, it remains there without appearing to move or c~e position.
His breath was ~ing in the air before him...
VERB: V prep/adv
7.
If a possibility ~s over you, it worries you and makes your life unpleasant or difficult because you think it might happen.
A constant threat of unemployment ~s over thousands of university researchers...
VERB: V over n
8.
see also ~ing , hung
9.
If you get the ~ of something such as a skill or activity, you begin to understand or realize how to do it. (INFORMAL)
It’s a bit tricky at first till you get the ~ of it.
PHRASE: V inflects: PHR n
10.
If you tell someone to ~ in there or to ~ on in there, you are encouraging them to keep trying to do something and not to give up even though it might be difficult. (INFORMAL)
Hang in there and you never know what you might achieve.
PHRASE: V inflects
11.
to ~ by a thread: see thread