# hinge upon

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hinge-upon
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to depend completely on something else to happen or be true.

For teachers: to depend entirely on a specific factor or event for a result or success; often used in formal or academic contexts to describe logical or causal dependency.

## Examples

- The success of the party will hinge upon the weather.
- The jury's final decision will hinge upon the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution.
- The stability of the entire regional economy may hinge upon the outcome of these delicate trade negotiations.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The plan hinges from his approval." but "The plan hinges upon his approval." — the verb 'hinge' must be followed by the preposition 'upon' or 'on', never 'from'.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a noun or a noun phrase representing the deciding factor.
- Teaching tip: this is a more formal and precise version of 'depend on'; the image of a door hinge helps students visualize how one thing supports the movement of another.

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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.