hang in there — to persevere through difficult times; to keep going despite challenges
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to persevere through difficult times; to keep going despite challenges
Pronunciation (IPA): /hæŋ ɪn ðer/
Example Sentences
- When my WiFi crashed during online class, my teacher said 'Hang in there!' but I was literally hanging upside down trying to fix the router.
- The marathon was brutal, but I kept telling myself to hang in there.
- My cat somehow got stuck on the ceiling fan, and I yelled 'Hang in there!' - ironically, that's exactly what he was doing.
hang in there
NOUN[/hæŋ ɪn ðer/]
to persevere through difficult times; to keep going despite challenges

a tired hiker grips onto rocky ledges while climbing up a steep cliff face, sweat on their forehead and determination in their eyes. Their hiking companion reaches down from above, offering a supportive hand and shouting words of encouragement. The climber's legs shake from exhaustion but they continue to push upward despite the difficulty. The path behind shows how far they've already come, while the summit appears just within reach above. Other hikers below look up supportively, some giving thumbs up gestures. A few birds circle overhead as if cheering on the effort. someone persevering through difficult times and keeping going despite challenges
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The verb 'hang' derives from Old English and Germanic roots meaning 'to suspend' or 'be suspended.' The phrase 'hang in there' emerged in 1960s American English, where the literal sense of clinging or holding on to something evolved into a figurative expression of perseverance and encouragement during difficult times.
Breakdown
hang (suspend, hold on) + in (within, at) + there (that place) = hold on persistently in that situation; the phrase metaphorically extends 'clinging physically' to 'persisting emotionally or psychologically.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“When my WiFi crashed during online class, my teacher said 'Hang in there!' but I was literally hanging upside down trying to fix the router.”
“The marathon was brutal, but I kept telling myself to hang in there.”
“My cat somehow got stuck on the ceiling fan, and I yelled 'Hang in there!' - ironically, that's exactly what he was doing.”
“Hang in there, the project deadline is almost over.”
📚Related Words
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