hang on — wait for a short time
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+informalcore
to wait for a moment or a short period, often while someone does something or gets something ready.
Say it like a native
Textbook Please wait for a brief moment.
Native Hang on a sec.
'Hang on' is the casual way to ask someone to wait. 'Wait for a brief moment' is stiff.
Pattern: hang on (for a moment/minute/second)
In use
- Hang on, I'll grab my keys and be right with you.daily life
- In my opinion, it's important to hang on for a few minutes if someone is late, because unexpected things can happen.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Hang on me, I'm nearly ready.
✓ Hang on, I'm nearly ready.
This sense is just 'hang on' (= wait), with no object. 'Hang on to me' means hold onto me.
Common collocations
hang on + a moment— a sec, a minute, a moment, there
Don't confuse it
'Hang on' is more informal than 'wait a moment.'