# hang on every word

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hang-on-every-word
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be completely attentive to what another person is saying.

## Examples

- The children hang on every word their teacher says.
- The audience was so quiet because they hung on every word of the speaker's moving story.
- As the professor explained the complex theory, the students sat in total silence, hanging on every word to ensure they understood the material.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.