Phrasal verb
cling on
Definition
phrasal verb. to hold onto something very tightly so you do not fall or lose it; it can also mean trying hard to keep a job or a hope.
phrasal verb. to maintain a firm physical grip on an object to prevent separation; figuratively, to struggle to retain a position, belief, or state of being in the face of difficulty.
Examples
“The climber had to cling on as the wind grew stronger.”
“Despite the company's financial troubles, the manager is trying to cling on to his job.”
“As the ship pitched violently in the storm, the sailors had to cling on to the railings to avoid being swept overboard.”
Examples
simple
“The climber had to cling on as the wind grew stronger.”
contextual
“Despite the company's financial troubles, the manager is trying to cling on to his job.”
complex
“As the ship pitched violently in the storm, the sailors had to cling on to the railings to avoid being swept overboard.”
Usage
often followed by the preposition 'to' when an object is mentioned.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'hold on' (neutral) and 'grip' (physical only); 'cling on' implies a sense of desperation or extreme effort.
Pitfall
He clings on the rope.
He clings on to the rope.
when an object follows 'cling on', the preposition 'to' is required to link them.
Phrasal verb
Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cling + on (+ to + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/cling-on