Phrasal Verb for the Day.

Hang on (Hang-Hung-Hung).

Hang on is a phrasal verb which is quite common but like most phrasal verbs has a few meanings.

Meanings:

To wait a while (informal and very commonly used especially on the telephone).

She’s not in the office. Hang on and I’ll find her.

Try Blondie’s ‘Hanging on the telephone’: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWhkbDMISl8

To hold/grip something tightly (often a command and commonly used).

Hold on to the rail when you travel on the bus.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, ‘Lets Hang On':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8782KIj_rKw

A close opposite of this meaning is: Let Go.

To mount something on a wall or peg (the most literal meaning).

Hang a picture on the wall or hang your coat on a peg.

This form needs an object.

To persist or linger.

I have a terrible cold it’s been hanging on for weeks.

To Survive for a while.

I’m a little hungry but I can hang on until lunch.

The expression ‘Hang on in there’ is closely related to this meaning.

Other uses for Hang on:

To depend on- `My future hangs on passing this exam.

To blame- ‘I know we lost but you can’t hang that on me’

To listen closely- ‘Her presentation was fascinating I was hanging on every word’.

Please post me any more examples of meanings, or use in songs (maybe you have some examples from the 21^st Century).

Thanks to: Oscar Guillermo Garcia Casseres for the suggestion.