hang onto

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

to keep

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

They hang onto all these kinds of thing, and insist that only what offers contact and touch is a thing that is.

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 “hang onto” mean?

to keep

Is “hang onto” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.