cling on
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To hold on tightly; to grip hard or adhere.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
And although they were pushed harder than even Lennon might have expected on a night of galeforce winds, they clung on to the lead Ledley gave them for all they were worth until their rivals had blown themselves out and surrendered top spot.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “cling on” mean?
To hold on tightly; to grip hard or adhere.
Is “cling on” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.