1 B1 neutral
To project or lean out over something physically.
"A large rock hung over the path, making climbers nervous."
hang over
B1 neutral transitive
To project or suspend above something, or to be a persistent worry or threat that affects a situation.
In plain English
To be above and over something, or to be a problem that won't go away.
What does "hang over" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To be a persistent and oppressive worry, threat, or problem affecting someone or something.
"The threat of redundancy hung over the entire workforce for months."
“
"A cloud of suspicion hung over the whole investigation."
— The Guardian, general news coverage
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To remain as an unresolved issue from the past that continues to affect the present.
"The scandal continued to hang over his political career even a decade later."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hang (be suspended) over (above) something.
Actually means
To be above and over something, or to be a problem that won't go away.
Usage tip
The figurative sense (a threat or worry hanging over a situation or person) is very common in formal, journalistic, and everyday English. The literal sense (physically hanging over an edge or surface) is transparent. The noun 'hangover' means the after-effects of drinking too much alcohol.
Words that pair with "hang over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
threat shadow cloud career proceedings debt uncertainty
How to conjugate "hang over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hang over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hangs over
he/she/it
Past simple
hung over
yesterday
Past participle
hung over
have + pp
-ing form
hanging over
continuous
Hear "hang over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hang over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "hang over"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
loom over menace overhang overshadow project over threaten
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.