clinging to
Refusing to release
Clinging to means holding tightly to something, whether physically or figuratively.
A child clings to a parent's leg.
More often the phrase describes emotional or mental attachment: She's still clinging to the hope that he'll return.
Someone clinging to power refuses to relinquish it.
The phrase usually suggests desperation or reluctance to let go of something slipping away.
- sticking toContinuing with commitment
- holding onMaintaining one's grip
- graspingGreedy for wealth
- over-relianceExcessive dependence on something
- grippingHolding attention completely
death grip · dependence · clutching · attachment · stubbornness · white-knuckled · longing · dogmatism · desperation · life raft · last straw · sticking · persistence · obsession · tenacity · bitter end · adherence · clasping
physical attachment
clinging toreleasing
Allowing to escape
abandoning · dropping · relinquishing · pushing away · giving up