cling

Everyday

1. To cling to something is to hold on to it very tightly. tree →
2. To cling means to stick closely to something or someone (wet clothes cling to your body). tree →
3. To cling to an idea or hope is to keep believing it even when it is hard. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a frightened child clings to a parent, a climber clings to a rock, a survivor clings to a log in the sea. In science, things that cling stick to a surface, like cling film or a static balloon on a wall. Phrases: cling to, cling on, cling together, cling film.

Examples

• The baby monkey clung to its mother's back. tree →
• The cat clung to the branch with its claws. tree →
• My wet T-shirt clung to me after the rain. tree →
• Hold on and cling to the rope! tree →
• The little boy clung to his dad on the first day of school. tree →
• She clung to the hope that her lost dog would come home. tree →
• We covered the bowl with cling film. tree →
• A sock was clinging to my jumper when it came out of the dryer. tree →
• She could see the men clinging to the masts. tree →

Note

Irregular verb: cling, clung, clung (not «clinged»). Usually followed by «to» or «on» (cling to the rope). «Clingy» describes someone who wants to be with you all the time. «Cling film» (UK) = «plastic wrap» (USA).

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Genesis, a man "cleaves" to his wife, and Deuteronomy tells Israel to cling to God. The tradition reads this as devoted closeness to God, and the rabbis taught that one clings to God by following his ways and keeping company with the wise. In the primary lessons: In stories a frightened child clings to a parent, a climber clings to a rock, a survivor clings to a log in the sea. In science, things that cling stick to a surface, like cling film or a static balloon on a wall. Phrases: cling to, cling on, cling together, cling film.

Note

Irregular verb: cling, clung, clung (not «clinged»). Usually followed by «to» or «on» (cling to the rope). «Clingy» describes someone who wants to be with you all the time. «Cling film» (UK) = «plastic wrap» (USA).