Are you having a tough time but looking for a way to deal with it? Maybe you know someone going through trials and tribulations and you want to say something encouraging. If so, the idiom hang in there will come in handy. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
The meaning of hang in there is for a person to stay strong in the face of adverse circumstances. One can be said to be strong or to stay strong in the face of adversity as well. If someone says to hang in there, it can also mean to remain steadfast for a set period of time or until relief comes along. The phrase also means not to give up when working towards a goal. If you want someone to maintain their determination, you can tell them to hang in there as well.
The easiest way to explain “hang in there” is by saying in means not to give up regardless of the circumstances. It is a phrase that is often used to give others encouragement during tough times. When someone shares bad news or gives an indirect plea for help, it is common to respond with “hang in there” as a form of passive encouragement.
Example Usage
“Just hang in there, things are going to be alright”.
“It may seem like a good time to give up, just hang in there, good times are on the horizon”.
“Try to just hang in there until your next paycheck, then you can get the treatment you need”.
“Things are really tough right now, telling me to hang in there is not actually helpful”.
Origin
For most people, the phrase hang in there has been around their whole lives. This of course is for good reason, it has been around a while. The words to hang specifically are Old English which means be suspended. During the late 60s and early 70s, the phrase hang in there came to be and gained popularity. Victor Baldwin was a well-known photographer who created some of the first motivational posters ever. Baldwin, who shot famous people such as Donald Regan and Frank Sinatra, had a penchant for photographing animals as well.
In 1963, he shot one such photo of a cat, which he and his wife published. One picture of a cat titled “The Outcast Kitten” was placed on the back of the book cover. The cat, named Sassy was hanging off of a bamboo pole which went on to become one of the most favored images of all time. Baldwin eventually made the picture into a poster and added the phrase “hang in there”. The phrase we use today is this exact phrase.
Phrases Similar to Hang in There
- Don’t surrender
- Be strong
- Avoid surrender
- Put on a brave face
- Always persevere
- Carry on
- Try to persist
Phrases Opposite to Hang in There
- Give up
- Succumb
- Give in
- Submit
- Allow things to take their course
- Bow down
- Yield
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper saying is – hang in there baby.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Hang in There
Some ways that Hang in There is used incorrectly are:
- I am always telling my students to hang in there when their arms get tired.
- Let’s just give up and hang in there.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Hang in There
Some ways that Hang in There is used correctly are:
- I know it can be hard to stay positive when things are so tough but just hang in there for a little bit longer.
- I don’t like having to wear layers of hot clothes to work daily, but I’ll hang in there until I find a better job.
- When the going gets tough, don’t get going, hang in there and find a solution to help you move forward.
- John really wants to get a divorce, but I keep telling him to hang in there until the kids graduate next year.
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American Idiom: hang in there
Hang in there means to persist in a difficult situation or never give up.
Is it correct to say hang in there?
«Hang in» means to endure. It’s often an exhortation, as in «Hang in there, you’ll be alright», but it can be descriptive as well: «Muhammed Ali was winning, but Norton was hanging in there.» «Hang on» can also be an exhortation to endure, but it can also mean, «please wait»: «Hang on for a moment while I check».
What does it mean when someone tells you hang in there?
If you tell someone to hang in there or to hang on in there, you are encouraging them to keep trying to do something and not to give up even though it might be difficult. Hang in there and you never know what is achievable.
Why do we say hang in there?
Origin of Hang in There
This expression is slang, and people use it as a way to encourage someone going through a tough time. This expression become popular in the 1970s due to a popular poster that bore the phrase. The poster featured a Siamese cat hanging onto a bamboo pole, looking determined to stay stuck on there.
Which is correct hang in there or hang on there?
In the first example, the verb is just ‘to hang’. In is a preposition and is used because it has the sense of in the game or in play. … People do say, «Hang on there», or «Hang on a minute», but here the verb is the phrasal verb ‘to hang on’.
30 related questions found
How do you respond to hang in there?
«Have a good day.» might suffice. I might venture, «I hope things go better today!»
How do you use hang in sentence?
Example Sentences
- Hang in there, everything will be fine.
- Hang in there and you never know what you might achieve.
- Hang in there, baby. …
- Hang in there! …
- I know things are tough right now, just hang in there.
- No matter how long it takes, just hang in there.
- Hang in there old buddy; the worst is yet to come.
Is hang in there bad to say?
It’s used as a quick, generic “something” to say when you’re at a loss for words. In contrast, the person who has depression and hears this comment is likely to perceive it as an invalidating and dismissive statement.
How do you tell someone to hang in there?
These phrases are ways to tell someone to keep trying:
- Hang in there.
- Don’t give up.
- Keep pushing.
- Keep fighting!
- Stay strong.
- Never give up.
- Never say ‘die’.
- Come on! You can do it!.
What can I say instead of hang in there?
hang in there
- carry on,
- persevere,
- persist.
What called hanging?
Hanging is the suspension of a person by a noose or ligature around the neck. … The first known account of execution by hanging was in Homer’s Odyssey (Book XXII). In this specialised meaning of the common word hang, the past and past participle is hanged instead of hung.
What does hanging in mean?
intransitive verb. informal : to refuse to be discouraged or intimidated : to keep going, trying, or working in a difficult situation …
What dies hanging in there mean?
said as a way of telling someone to not give up, despite difficulties: Work can get tough in the middle of a semester but hang in there and it’ll be OK.
What kind of figurative language is hang in there?
An expression of encouragement to persist or stay calm in a challenging situation. I know you’re worried, but hang in there—the doctor will call soon.
How are you holding up meaning?
«How are you holding up», by itself, usually means «How are you doing in the midst of this difficult situation?«
How do you hit the sack?
You use the phrase ‘Hit the Sack’ to indicate that it’s time to go to bed. Example of use: “I’ve got to get up early tomorrow, so I’m going to hit the sack.”
How do you comfort someone?
Best Way To Comfort Someone (10 Tips)
- Acknowledge Their Feelings.
- Repeat Their Feelings.
- Draw Their Emotions Out.
- Don’t Minimize Their Pain.
- Be There For Them, Right At That Moment.
- Offer Physical Affection, When Appropriate.
- Express Your Support.
- Tell Them They’re Special.
How do you help someone who is struggling?
When Someone You Love Is Having a Tough Time, Remind Them of These 20 Things
- It’s OK Not to Be OK. …
- You’re Not Alone. …
- Let Go of Blame. …
- Struggles Make You Stronger. …
- Take a Step Back. …
- Nothing Lasts Forever. …
- Take Things Step By Step. …
- Look For The Open Door.
How are you hanging?
‘How you hanging?’
mean? It’s a casual (VERY casual) greeting spoken by one man to another. Another form is «How’s it hanging?» The literal reference is to the male organ, but the question just means «How are you?» or «How’s everything?» To stay out of trouble, do not use this line except with very close male friends.
How do you use down to earth in a sentence?
Example Sentences
- She is very down to earth person, not at all attracted by the glamour world.
- Initially, I was not interested to meet the parents of my girl friend, but after last night’s dinner treat I found them very nice and down to earth couple.
- There are few people in the world are down to earth these days.
What does I’m hanging mean?
meaning the person isn’t going to let what happened affect them as much or it can be said when coping with usually bad news.
What do you say when somebody dies?
The Best Things to Say to Someone in Grief
- I am so sorry for your loss.
- I wish I had the right words, just know I care.
- I don’t know how you feel, but I am here to help in any way I can.
- You and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- My favorite memory of your loved one is…
- I am always just a phone call away.
What does the idiom a full plate mean?
The idiom a full plate means that someone has enough to do and will not take on any additional workload, burden or responsibility. If someone has a full plate he has reached the limit of what he can do. A full plate may also be used in a literal sense to mean that someone has a dinner plate full of food.
Is Hanged meaning?
transitive verb. : to suspend by the neck until dead especially as a form of execution —often hanged in the past tense. intransitive verb. 1 : to die by hanging —often hanged in the past tense he hanged for his crimes.
How many types of hanging are there?
Secondly, two types of hanging are recognized — hanging with complete free suspension of the body (complete hanging); and hanging with incomplete suspension, with part of the body supporting the victim’s weight (incomplete or partial hanging).
hang in there
An expression of encouragement to persist or stay calm in a challenging situation. I know you’re worried, but hang in there—the doctor will call soon.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Hang in there.
Be patient, things will work out. Bob: Everything is in such a mess. I can’t seem to get things done right. Jane: Hang in there, Bob. Things will work out. Mary: Sometimes I just don’t think I can go on. Sue: Hang in there, Mary. Things will work out.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
hang in there
or
hang on in there
INFORMAL
COMMON If you tell someone to hang in there or to hang on in there, you encourage them to continue with something even if it is difficult. Hang in there and you never know what you might achieve. My message to all those people stuck in a property they’re dying to sell is hang on in there. Things will improve.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
hang in there
remain persistent and determined in difficult circumstances. informal, especially North American
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
hang (on) ˈin there
(informal) used for encouraging somebody to continue trying to achieve something: ‘I’ll never find a job.’ ‘Look, just hang on in there. I’m sure you’ll get something soon.’
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
hang in there
in. to keep trying; to persevere. I’ll just hang in there. Maybe things will get better.
McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
hang in there
Keep at it, persevere. An American slang expression dating from the first half of the 1900s, this imperative is believed to have originated in sports, where it is often shouted as an encouragement to a competitor or team. However, it also is used as a simple verb meaning the same thing, as in, “He has managed to hang in even though he does not have tenure.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
- hang in
- hang in (something)
- give it time
- live
- go get ’em, tiger
- keep on with
- keep on with (something)
- attagal
- gal
- ata
Hang in there meaning! Learn the definition of the common expression “hang in there”, when and how to use this with many useful examples and ESL picture.
Hang In There Meaning
What Does “Hang In There” Mean?
The idiom “hang in there” is an informal and friendly expression that people use as a way to encourage someone to not give up, to be persistent or stay calm, to not lose hope and keep on fighting even though it is a challenging situation.
In a nutshell, “hang in there” means “be patient and things will work out”.
Note: In the UK, people also call hang on in there.
Example Sentences
- Hang in there, everything will be fine.
- Hang in there and you never know what you might achieve.
- Hang in there, baby. You can pass the university entrance exam!
- Hang in there! You’ll soon catch on to the language.
- I know things are tough right now, just hang in there.
- No matter how long it takes, just hang in there.
- Hang in there old buddy; the worst is yet to come.
- I know you’re struggling right now in school but just hang in there.
- Work can get tough in the middle of a term but hang on in there and it’ll be OK.
Conversation Examples
Father: Hey, David, how are things between you and your wife?
Son: We’ve been fighting a lot for months now. I’m getting worried about my marriage.
Father: Marriage can be like that. If you keep working on it and don’t give up, things will get better.
Son: Thanks, Dad. I’ll keep trying my best.
Father: Good attitude my son. Hang in there!
Hang In There Meaning Infographic
Learn the idiom “Hang In There” with ESL printable infographic below:
“Hang In There” Synonyms List
Learn the common synonyms list for the phrase “hang in there” with useful example sentences:
- Be patient.
- Don’t lose hope.
- Keep going, don’t give up.
- Keep going
- Hold on
- Stand firm
- Be stubborn
- Carry on
- See it through
- Stay the course
- Stick with it
- Keep driving
- Go for broke
- Go for it
- Hang tough
- Be determined
- Be resolved
- Keep hold of
- Stick your guns
- Stay strong
- Hold fast
- Brace yourself
Synonyms for “Hang In There” with Examples
Be patient
- I can’t be patient of your childish questions anymore.
Don’t lose hope
- Don’t lose hope. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
Keep going
- This is exhausting work, but I manage to keep going somehow.
Hold on
- Hold on for a minute, I’ve just got to put on my makeup.
Stand firm
- If you stand firm, we can hardly come to term.
Be stubborn
- If you want to be stubborn, just keep on insisting.
Carry on
- They’ll carry on with their plan.
See it through
- The course was hard, but I wanted to see it through.
Stay the course
- I don’t think he’s sufficiently dedicated to stay the course.
Stick with it
- We’re going to stick with it till we get the job done.
Keep driving
- In a society that values freedom above all, the obvious way to celebrate a centenary is just to keep driving.
Go for broke
- I decided to go for broke and start my own business.
Go for it
- It sounds a great idea. Go for it!
Hang tough
- You will come through any crisis if you hang tough.
Stay strong
- On the basis of this analysis of the problem, I urged the President to stay strong in dealing with Gorbachev.
Hold fast
- No matter how many difficulties remain, I will hold fast till the end.
Brace yourself
- Brace yourself for a new challenge!
hang in there — перевод на русский
Hang in there, Kenichi!
Держись, Кеничи!
Hang in there!
Ну же, держись!
— Hang in there!
— Держись!
Get a hold of yourself. Hang in there!
Держись!
Hang in there, Zack!
Держись, Зак!
Показать ещё примеры для «держись»…
Hang in there, okay, preciosa?
Держись там, ладно, дорогая?
— Hang in there.
Держись там.
Hang in there, Man With Eye Patch.
Держись там,Человек с Повязкой на Глазу.
All right, doc, you hang in there, OK?
Отлично, док, держись там, ладно?
You hang in there, okay?
Держись там, ладно?
Показать ещё примеры для «держись там»…
Hang in there, Marty.
Потерпи, Марти.
Hang in there for a little while longer.
Потерпи ещё чуть-чуть.
Just hang in there two more minutes, and we’ll be done.
Просто потерпи пару минут, пока мы закончим.
Hang in there sweetie.
Потерпи, миленький, потерпи.
Показать ещё примеры для «потерпи»…
Hang in there for a second.
Подожди секунду.
Hang in there, okay?
Подожди, хорошо?
Hang in there, son, he’s on his way.
Подожди, сынок, он уже идёт.
Hang in there, kitten.
Подожди, котенок.
Hang in there, Liam.
Подожди, Лиам.
Показать ещё примеры для «подожди»…
Hang in there.
Не сдавайся.
Hang in there!
Не сдавайся!
Hang in there!
Не сдавайся! Чжэ Син!
Hang in there, Clyde.
Не сдавайся, Клайд.
— Just hang in there.
— Просто не сдавайся.
Показать ещё примеры для «не сдавайся»…
Hang in there until I arrive.
Давай, продержись, пока я тут.
Well, hang in there as long as you can because I still need you.
Продержись подольше, потому что, ты мне нужен.
Hang in there.
Продержись.
Just hang in there until our date later.
Продержись до нашей встречи вечером.
So hang in there a little longer, Bob, okay?
Продержись еще немного, Боб. Хорошо?
Показать ещё примеры для «продержись»…
It won’t be much longer. Hang in there.
Тогда потерпи еще немножко.
You just got to hang in there a little bit
Потерпи еще немного.
Hang in there.
Потерпи еще.
Hang in there a little longer, Cece.
Потерпи еще немножко, Сис.
It’ll be over soon. Let’s hang in there a little longer.
Потерпи ещё немного.
Показать ещё примеры для «потерпи ещё»…
Hey. Hang in there, Roy.
Побудь здесь, Рой.
Hang in there, buddy.
Побудь здесь, приятель.
Just hang in there.
Просто побудь здесь.
You just hang in there.
Побудьте здесь.
Hang in there just a little longer.
Просто побудьте здесь ещё немного.
Показать ещё примеры для «побудь здесь»…
Hang in there, man.
Помогу. Крепись, старина.
Hang in there.
Крепись, крепись!
You hang in there.
крепись
Now you hang in there, Ryan, and have a nice day.
Ты крепись Райан и приятного дня.
Показать ещё примеры для «крепись»…
Hang in there and do what you can.
Оставайся там и сделай, что сможешь.
So just hang in there.
Так что просто оставайся там.
Look, just hang in there, okay?
Просто оставайся там.
— Hang in there.
Оставайся там.
So hang in there, man, you hear me?
Оставайся пока там, ты слышишь меня?
Показать ещё примеры для «оставайся там»…