esl #english #idioms #informal #verb

hang up {v.}

  1. To place on a hook, peg, or hanger.

When the children come to school, they hang up their coats in the cloakroom.

2a. To place a telephone receiver back on its hook and break the connection.

Carol's mother told her she had talked long enough on the phone and made her hang up.

2b. To put a phone receiver back on its hook while the other person is still talking. — Used with "on".

I said something that made Joe angry, and he hung up on me.

3a. {informal}
To cause to be stuck or held so as to be immovable. — Usually used in the passive.

Ann's car was hung up in a snowdrift and she had to call a garageman to get it out.

3b. {informal}
To stick or get held so as to be immovable.

A big passenger ship hung up on a sandbar for several hours.

  1. {informal}
    To cause a wait; delay.

Rehearsals for the school play were hung up by the illness of some of the actors.

  1. {informal}
    To set (a record.)

Bob hung up a school record for long distance swimming. Categories: hang {informal} {v.}