hangers-on

A few hangers-on lingered near the celebrity's car.

Definition

1. Noun (plural only, typically used as plural):
   • Persons who attach themselves to a person, group, or organization in a dependent or parasitic manner: "hangers-on" refers to individuals who associate with someone more powerful or successful, often for personal gain, such as material benefits, social status, or entertainment, without contributing anything of value in return. They are often seen as unwelcome or burdensome.

Usage Examples

• (These people attached themselves to the celebrity for personal benefit.)
• (They associated with the campaign for status or perks.)
• (They followed the company for material gain.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a hanger-on": to act as a dependent or parasitic follower.
  • He was always a hanger-on at the art gallery, never buying anything but enjoying the free wine. (He consistently attached himself for personal advantage.)
• "hangers-on in a court": in historical or royal contexts, people who linger around a monarch or noble for favor.
  • The king’s court was full of hangers-on seeking titles and land. (They sought reward without merit.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hanger-on (singular noun): one such person.
  • She was just a hanger-on, not a true friend. (A single parasitic follower.)
• On-hanger (rare, nonstandard): an alternative form, but rarely used.
• Hanging on (verb phrase): the act of clinging or attaching oneself.
  • He kept hanging on to the group long after they stopped welcoming him. (He persisted in attaching himself.)

Synonyms

• Sycophant: a person who flatters others to gain advantage.
• Parasite: a person who lives off others without contributing.
• Lackey: a servile follower, often for menial tasks.
• Follower: a less negative term for someone who attaches to a leader.
• Tagalong: an informal term for someone who follows without being invited.

Related Idioms

• "to ride on someone’s coattails": to succeed or gain advantage by associating with a successful person.
  • The hangers-on rode on the politician’s coattails to get jobs. (They benefited from his success.)
• "to cling like a barnacle": to attach persistently and annoyingly.
  • The hangers-on clung like barnacles to the wealthy businessman. (They were difficult to remove.)

Phrasal Verbs (related to the concept)

• Hang on: to hold tightly or persist.
  • The hangers-on hung on to the celebrity’s every word. (They clung to his attention.)
• Hang about/around: to stay near someone or a place without purpose.
  • The hangers-on hung around the studio hoping for a role. (They loitered for opportunity.)