# hang back

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hang-back
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to stay behind or wait for a moment instead of moving forward with a group.

For teachers: to delay moving forward or taking action, often due to hesitation, caution, or a desire to remain unobserved.

## Examples

- I decided to hang back and wait for the crowd to leave.
- While the rest of the team rushed into the meeting room, Sarah hung back to finish her phone call.
- The younger soldiers tended to hang back during the initial advance, waiting for a signal from their commanding officer before proceeding into the valley.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He hunged back at the door." but "He hung back at the door." — the past tense of 'hang' in this context is the irregular form 'hung', not 'hunged'.

## Usage notes

- usually used without a direct object; often followed by 'from' or 'behind'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'hold back' (which implies active restraint or keeping a secret) versus 'hang back' (which is more about physical positioning or social hesitation).

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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.