dangling

Everyday

1. Dangling means hanging loosely and swinging, often from something above. tree →
2. Dangling something in front of someone means holding it out to tempt them. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it describes legs over a wall, earrings, keys, ropes and loose wires. Safety: dangling wires or cords can be dangerous; tell an adult. In stories it shows something hanging over a drop or a temptation. Phrases: «dangling from», «legs dangling», «keep someone dangling» (= keep waiting without an answer).

Examples

• The monkey was dangling from a branch by its tail. tree →
• We sat on the pier with our legs dangling over the water. tree →
• A loose wire was dangling from the ceiling. tree →
• Her earrings were long and dangling. tree →
• He kept dangling the toy in front of the cat. tree →
• The spider was dangling on a thread. tree →
• Don't leave the blind cord dangling where a baby can reach it. tree →
• Suddenly he saw a beautiful ball, for all the world like his own, dangling from a branch of the tree he was on. tree →

Note

Spelling: dangle drops «e» before -ing: «dangling». Safety: long dangling cords from blinds are a strangling danger for small children. Not a number word.