ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hang over

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to make you feel worried or unhappy about the future because a problem has not been solved yet.

phr. v.. to persist as a source of anxiety, threat, or apprehension; typically used in the continuous aspect to describe an unresolved negative situation.


SIMPLE

The threat of losing my job hangs over me.

CONTEXTUAL

The upcoming court case hangs over the family like a dark cloud, making it hard to enjoy anything.

COMPLEX

A sense of profound uncertainty hangs over the negotiations as both parties refuse to compromise on the final treaty terms.

Particles
over
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
hang + over + object
Usage

usually used with a person or a situation as the object, often following the preposition 'over'.

Teaching tip

this is often used metaphorically with 'like a cloud' to help students visualize the persistent, oppressive nature of the worry.

Pitfall

I have a hang over from the party.I have a hangover from the party.the noun for feeling sick after drinking is the single word 'hangover', while the phrasal verb 'hang over' refers to a lingering worry.

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