hang-up

or hang·up

[ hang-uhp ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a preoccupation, fixation, or psychological block; complex:

   His hang-up is trying to outdo his brother.

2. a source of annoying difficulty or burden; impediment; snag:

   The most serious hang-up the project has is a shortage of funds.

3. a fixture, object, or decoration that can be affixed to a wall, ceiling, other objects, etc.:

   He brightened up the room with flower baskets and other hang-ups.

hang up

verb

1. tr to put on a hook, hanger, etc

   please hang up your coat

2. to replace (a telephone receiver) on its cradle at the end of a conversation, often breaking a conversation off abruptly
3. informal.
   tr; usually passiveusually foll byon to cause to have an emotional or psychological preoccupation or problem

   he's really hung up on his mother

noun

1. an emotional or psychological preoccupation or problem
2. a persistent cause of annoyance

Word History and Origins

Origin of hang-up¹

First recorded in 1955–60; noun use of verb phrase hang up

Example Sentences

The viscous substance is more effective than water — it hangs up on the vegetation and retains its flame-slowing properties even when it dries, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He claimed that she instead said she would “ask someone else” and hung up on him.

From Los Angeles Times

The world's richest man announced his support for the former president earlier this year, despite saying in 2022 that "it's time for Trump to hang up his hat and sail into the sunset".

From BBC

He announced his support for the former president earlier this year, despite saying in 2022 that "it's time for Trump to hang up his hat and sail into the sunset".

From BBC

“I have a sister-in-law who I will not talk to, because if I call her we end up shouting and I just hang up on her.”

From BBC