hang-up
- Noun:
- An unforeseen obstacle: A hang-up is a problem or difficulty that delays or prevents something from happening, often unexpectedly.
- An emotional preoccupation: A hang-up is a persistent, often irrational, emotional concern or inhibition about a particular thing.
As an unforeseen obstacle:
- We were ready to launch the product, but a legal hang-up caused a delay.
- The only hang-up with the plan is getting final approval from the board.
As an emotional preoccupation:
- He has a hang-up about public speaking and gets very nervous.
- She's trying to get over her hang-ups about her appearance.
"To have a hang-up about something": To have a specific, often irrational, anxiety or inhibition regarding a particular subject.
- He has a real hang-up about being on time; he gets very stressed if he's even a minute late.
"To get hung up on something": To become overly concerned, delayed, or obsessed with a particular detail or problem. (Note: This is a related phrasal verb using "hung up," the past participle of "hang up.")
- Don't get hung up on minor details; focus on the overall goal.
Hang up (phrasal verb): To end a phone call; to suspend or place on a hook. This is the verbal phrase from which the noun "hang-up" is derived.
- Please hang up the phone when you're finished.
- He hung up his coat in the closet.
Hung-up (adjective, informal): Emotionally preoccupied or inhibited.
- She's still hung-up on her ex-boyfriend.
- Obstacle, snag, hitch, difficulty (for the "unforeseen obstacle" meaning).
- Inhibition, complex, preoccupation, neurosis, phobia (for the "emotional preoccupation" meaning).
Hang up on (someone): To end a phone call abruptly, often rudely.
- She was so angry that she hung up on him.
Hang up (something) or Hang (something) up: To place something on a hook or hanger; to retire or cease an activity.
- He decided to hang up his boots after a long football career.
- "Hang in there": An expression of encouragement to persist despite difficulties. (Note: This idiom uses "hang" but is conceptually related to enduring a problem or "hang-up.")
- I know the project is tough, but just hang in there.
-
an unforeseen obstacle
-
an emotional preoccupation
