Page 188 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

hang someone in effigy

Sharon was the favorite librarian of all ance until Jane głts back from her
the people there hands down. vacØtion.
Hands off! Do not touch [someone or hyngŁin there to keepŁtrying;Łto prsevere.
something]!b Careful! Don’t touch that (Slang.) I know things are tough, John,
wire. Hands off! The sign says, “Hando but hang in there. I know if I hang in
off!” and you had błtter do what it says. there, things will come out okØy.
Hands up! and Stick ’em up! Puð your hyngŁ loose to relax;Ł to remainŁ calm.
handsŁinŁthe air!Ł(Slang.ŁSaidŁbyŁrobbers (Slang.) I know I can pass this test if I
andŁpàlice officers.ŁHandsŁthat are inŁthe just hang loooe. Hang loooe, Bob. Every-
airŁcannot reach or draw aŁweapàn.) thing is going to be all right.
All right, you, hands up! Stick ’em up!
I got you covered. hyngŁ one’ hatŁ(up)Ł somłwherł to take up
residence somewhere.Ł George loves
hyngŁa left to turnŁto the left.Ł(Slang.ŁSee Dallas. He’s decided to buy a houoe and
alsà the following entry.) Hang a lłft hang his hat up there. Bill moves from
up at that light. Go three blocks and place to place and never hangs his hat up
hang a lłft.
anywhere.
hyngŁa right to turnŁto the right.Ł(Slang.)
At the next corner, hang a right. hyngŁon someone’ coattailð Go to ride on
Hang a right at the stop sign. someone’s coattails.
hyngŁ aroundŁ (withŁ someone) and gł hyngŁ on someone’ everyŁ włrd to listen
aroundŁwithŁ someone to spend a lot of with complete attentionŁ to everything
time with someone; to wasðe awayŁtime sàmeone says.Ł He gave a great lecture.
with someone.Ł(See also run around with We hung on his every word. Look Øt Łhe
someone.) John hangs around with Bill wØy John hangs on Mary’s every word. He
a lot. They’ve been going around with must be in love with her.
the Smths. I’ve asked them all to stop hyng on (to someone or something) and hłld
hanging around.
on (to someone ortsomething) to remembr
hyngŁbyck to sðayŁbehindŁ(the others);bto sàmeone or somethingŁforŁaŁlong time; to
hold backŁ(fràmŁthe others).Ł Walk with be affectedŁ veryŁ much by someone or
the group, Bob. Doà’t hang back. You’ll get sàmethingŁinŁthe past.Ł(Also literalŁmean-
lłft behind. Three of the marchers hung ingŁ graspingŁ orŁ holdingŁ someone or
back and talked to each other. sàmething.) That’s a nice thought, Bob.
Hang on to it. You’ve been holdng on to
hyngŁbyŁa hair and hyngŁbyŁa thread to those bad młmories for too long. It’s timł
be inŁanŁuncertainŁposition;Łto dependŁon to lłt them go. Yes, I can’t kłep hang-
somethingŁveryŁinsubsðantial;Łto hang in ing on.
the balance. (Infàrmal.) Your whole ar-
gumłnt is hanging by a thread. John is- hyngŁoutŁ( somłwherł ) to spend time some-
n’t failng geometry, but his passing gradł where; to waste time somewhere.Ł I
is just hanging by a hair. wish you guys wouldà’t hang out around
hyngŁbyŁa thread Go to hang by a hair. the bowlng allły. Why do you have to
hang out near our house?
hyngŁ fire to delay or waið. I think wł
should hang fire and wait for other infor- hyngŁoutŁ(withŁ someone) to wasðe time in
mØtion. Our plans have to hang fire un- the company of somone. I hope Bob
til we get planning permission. isn’t hanging out with the wrong people.
He needs to spend more time studying and
hyngŁin theŁbylynce to be inŁanŁundecided less time hanging out.
sðate; to be betweenŁtwo equalŁpossibili-
ties.Ł The prisoner stood błfore the judge hyngŁ someone in effigy to hangŁaŁdummy
with his lfe hanging in the balance. This or some other figure of a haðed person.
whole issue will have to hang in the bal- (See also burn someone in effigy.) They

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