hang onto

Don't let go

Hang onto means to keep possession of something, often with the implication of not letting go despite pressure or temptation: Hang onto those receipts for tax season.

It also means to grip tightly: Hang onto the railing.

The phrase suggests effort or determination in maintaining one's hold, whether physical or figurative: She hung onto her lead in the final lap.

grip

clutch

Mechanism linking engine to gearbox

graspSeize or understand
holdMaintain in grasp
clingHold tightly to

seize · clasp · clench · embrace · latch · catch · snatch · hook · fasten · secure

keep

retain

Keep possession of

preserveProtect from loss
saveProtect from loss
storeRetail establishment

maintain · hold · possess · safeguard · protect · treasure · cherish · hoard · stash · stockpile

persist

endure

Suffer through without yielding

persevereContinue despite obstacles
persistContinue firmly onward
continueGo on without stopping

sustain · weather · survive · outlast · hold out · stay strong · bear · withstand · carry on · stick with

Opposites

physical retention

hang ontorelease

To let go

let go of · drop · relinquish · unhand · let slip

possession/keeping

hang ontodiscard

Deliberately throw out

get rid of · throw away · dispose of · let go of · part with

emotional/psychological attachment

hang ontolet go of

release · give up · relinquish · abandon · forget

Family

hang, hanging, onto, hang on, hung, hanger, hangs, on to, hanged

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G