ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hang on every word

idiom
Meaning

To be completely attentive to what another person is saying.


Examples
SIMPLE

The children hang on every word their teacher says.

CONTEXTUAL

The audience was so quiet because they hung on every word of the speaker's moving story.

COMPLEX

As the professor explained the complex theory, the students sat in total silence, hanging on every word to ensure they understood the material.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bad word

    A vulgar word.

  2. 02

    breathe a word

    To divulge even part of a secret (usually used with a negative).

  3. 03

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  4. 04

    dicky

    [Cockney slang]word

  5. 05

    dirty word

    The name of a topic that a person prefers not to hear or discuss.

  6. 06

    every bit

    Exactly, to its full degree

  7. 07

    every inch

    Totally, completely.

  8. 08

    every last

    every; without exception (used for emphasis).

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