hang

Everyday

1. To hang is to put something up so it is held from above, like a coat on a hook. tree →
2. To hang is also to be held from above, with the lower part free, like a bat hanging upside down. tree →
3. To hang around or hang out is to spend time somewhere doing nothing special. tree →
4. To hang up is to end a phone call. tree →
5. To get the hang of something is to learn how to do it. tree →
6. To hang someone means to kill them by tying a rope around their neck. tree →

In the lessons

an action of placing things: pictures, coats, lights hung in rows or on hooks; things on each hook; in everyday life: hang up your coat, hang washing on the line, hang on (wait); in stories fruit hangs from trees and bats hang in caves; phrases: «hang on», «hang up», «hang out with friends», «hang in there» (do not give up)

Examples

• She hangs 4 pictures on each wall. tree →
• 12 coats hang on the hooks. tree →
• He hung 30 lights in 5 rows. tree →
• How many shirts are hanging? tree →
• Hang your bag on your peg before class. tree →
• Bats hang upside down when they sleep. tree →
• Hang on a minute, I am coming! tree →
• She hung up the phone and ran outside. tree →
• After a few tries, Leo got the hang of riding his bike. tree →
• Now they're going to hang me. tree →

Note

«Each» with hang marks equal groups: total = groups × each. Hanging itself adds nothing. Past: hung (a picture was hung). «Hang out» is casual for spending time together. «Hang on» means wait or hold tight.

In Jewish tradition

In the Writings it also means to hang up a harp on willows, as exiles do in sorrow, and to hang Haman on his own gallows. Lamentations says princes are hanged up by their hands.

Interpretation. The hanging up of the harps is read as the exiles' refusal to sing joyful songs while Zion lies in ruins. Haman's end is read as his own plot turning against him.

Examples

• But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. (Torah GEN.40.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court. (Torah EXO.40.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was: I was restored unto mine office, and he was hanged.' (Torah GEN.41.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Upon the willows in the midst thereof we hanged up our harps. (Writings PSA.137.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. (Writings EST.7.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Princes are hanged up by their hand; the faces of elders are not honoured. (Writings LAM.5.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Each» with hang marks equal groups: total = groups × each. Hanging itself adds nothing. Past: hung (a picture was hung). «Hang out» is casual for spending time together. «Hang on» means wait or hold tight.