Antonyms for hanging around


Grammar : Verb
Spell : hang
Phonetic Transcription : hæŋ


Definition of hanging around

Origin :
  • a fusion of Old English hon "suspend" (transitive, class VII strong verb; past tense heng, past participle hangen), and Old English hangian (weak, intransitive, past tense hangode) "be suspended;" also probably influenced by Old Norse hengja "suspend," and hanga "be suspended." All from Proto-Germanic *khang- (cf. Old Frisian hangia, Dutch hangen, German hängen), from PIE *kank- "to hang" (cf. Gothic hahan, Hittite gang- "to hang," Sanskrit sankate "wavers," Latin cunctari "to delay;" see also second element in Stonehenge). As a method of execution, in late Old English (but originally specifically of crucifixion).
  • Hung emerged as past participle 16c. in northern England dialect, and hanged endured only in legal language (which tends to be conservative) and metaphors extended from it (I'll be hanged). Teen slang sense of "spend time" first recorded 1951; hang around "idle, loiter" is from 1830, and hang out (v.) is from 1811. Hang fire (1781) was originally used of guns that were slow in communicating the fire through the vent to the charge. To let it all hang out "be relaxed and uninhibited" is from 1967.
  • verb associate with; be residing in
  • verb associate
Example sentences :
  • As long as she knows they're hanging around close, it's all the same.
  • Extract from : « Good Indian » by B. M. Bower
  • I don't like the way Sam Snedecker is hanging around the shop, either.
  • Extract from : « Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout » by Victor Appleton
  • You're too clever a fellow to be hanging around, shooting and fishing.
  • Extract from : « The Rise of Roscoe Paine » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • There are a bunch of young fellows that have been hanging around there lately.
  • Extract from : « The Best Made Plans » by Everett B. Cole
  • "I don't like this business of hanging around," whispered Jacques in Leon's ear.
  • Extract from : « Fighting in France » by Ross Kay
  • He's been hanging around town ever since the ball season closed.
  • Extract from : « Baseball Joe in the Big League » by Lester Chadwick
  • But he was not surprised, for he had half expected them to be hanging around the building.
  • Extract from : « 'Firebrand' Trevison » by Charles Alden Seltzer
  • Yes, it does, or what would he be hanging around here so long for?
  • Extract from : « Some Everyday Folk and Dawn » by Miles Franklin
  • What are you hanging around at the toddy stand for if not to drink?
  • Extract from : « A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan » by John U. Wolff
  • Have you nothing else to occupy your time than hanging around the toddy stand?
  • Extract from : « A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan » by John U. Wolff

Synonyms for hanging around

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019