# cling on

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cling-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He clings on the rope." but "He clings on to the rope." — when an object follows 'cling on', the preposition 'to' is required to link them.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.