hang off
B1 neutral intransitive
In simple words
To hang loosely from something, or to stop and wait for a moment.
Literal meaning: To hang (dangle) off (from the edge of) something.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To dangle or hang loosely from something, especially an edge or surface.
"A climber was hanging off the edge of the building, waiting to be rescued."
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
(British, informal) To stop or wait a moment.
"Hang off a minute — I need to check something before you send that email."
Usage notes
Used literally to describe things or people dangling from an edge or surface. In British English informal usage, 'hang off' can also mean 'stop' or 'wait a second', similar to 'hold off'. Not to be confused with 'hang on' which means to hold tightly.
Commonly used with
edge cliff railing side moment
Forms
Base
hang off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hangs off
he/she/it
Past simple
hung off
yesterday
Past participle
hung off
have + pp
-ing form
hanging off
continuous
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Synonyms
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