How do you use "Hang On" in a sentence?

Hang on, I'll be right with you. Hang on a minute—did you just say free? Can you hang on while I grab my coat? Hang on, that doesn't make sense.

Hang On

Q: What does "Hang On" mean?

Wait a moment; hold on A request for someone to wait or pause, often while you deal with something. Can also express surprise or disagreement ('hang on, that's not right'). Very versatile British expression.

Slang Term BritishAustralianAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Wait a moment; hold on

等一下、稍等

Espera un momento; aguanta

ちょっと待って

잠깐만, 잠시만 기다려

A request for someone to wait or pause, often while you deal with something. Can also express surprise or disagreement ('hang on, that's not right'). Very versatile British expression.

请求别人等一下或暂停，通常是在你处理某事的时候。也可以表示惊讶或不同意（'等等，那不对'）。非常多用途的英式表达。

Una petición para que alguien espere o pause, a menudo mientras lidias con algo. También puede expresar sorpresa o desacuerdo ('espera, eso no está bien'). Expresión británica muy versátil.

誰かに待ってもらうか一時停止してもらうリクエスト。何かに対処している間によく使う。驚きや異議を表すこともある（「ちょっと待って、それは違う」）。非常に汎用性の高いイギリス英語の表現。

누군가에게 잠시 기다리거나 멈춰 달라고 요청하는 표현으로, 보통 무언가를 처리하는 동안 사용한다. 놀라움이나 이의를 표현할 때도 쓰인다('잠깐, 그건 아닌데'). 매우 다양하게 쓰이는 영국식 표현이다.

Examples

Hang on, I'll be right with you.
等一下，我马上就来。
Espera, ya voy contigo.
ちょっと待って、すぐ行くから。
잠깐만, 금방 갈게.
Hang on a minute—did you just say free?
等等——你刚才说免费？
Espera un momento—¿acabas de decir gratis?
ちょっと待って——今、無料って言った？
잠깐—방금 무료라고 했어?
Can you hang on while I grab my coat?
你能等我一下吗？我去拿外套。
¿Puedes esperar mientras agarro mi abrigo?
コート取ってくるからちょっと待ってくれる？
코트 좀 가져올 테니까 잠깐만 기다려 줄래?
Hang on, that doesn't make sense.
等等，这说不通啊。
Espera, eso no tiene sentido.
ちょっと待って、それはおかしいよ。
잠깐, 그건 말이 안 되는데.

Pronunciation

/hæŋ ɒn/

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, phone calls, general

Tone: requesting pause, sometimes surprised

✓ Do Say

Hang on a second.
等一下。
Espera un segundo.
ちょっと待って。
잠깐만.
Hang on, let me think.
等等，让我想想。
Espera, déjame pensar.
待って、考えさせて。
잠깐, 생각 좀 해볼게.
Can you hang on?
你能等一下吗？
¿Puedes esperar?
ちょっと待ってくれる？
잠깐만 기다려 줄래?

✗ Don't Say

Very casual—'please wait' for formal contexts
非常随意——正式场合用'please wait'
Muy casual—'please wait' para contextos formales
とてもカジュアル——フォーマルな場面では「please wait」を使う
매우 격식 없는 표현—격식 차린 상황에서는 '잠시만요'가 적절
Generally acceptable everywhere
一般到处都能接受
Generalmente aceptable en todas partes
一般的にどこでも使える
일반적으로 어디서나 통용됨

Common Mistakes

Can mean 'wait' or express surprise/disagreement
Context determines meaning

Origin & History

From the literal meaning of holding onto something to stay in place. Extended to mean 'stay where you are' or 'wait' in conversation.

Etymology: From physically hanging on (gripping) to stay in place

First recorded: Figurative usage from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in phone conversations; Standard British conversational phrase

Regional notes: Very British but understood universally.

Variations

Hang on a minuteHang on a secHang on a tick