hang up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
End a phone call
Why “up”? An action, effort, relationship, or process stops, becomes weaker, or does not continue.
“Maya hung up after her evening call with her sister.”
“He hung up when the line went quiet.”
Don't confuse with
Hang up means end a phone call. Hang out means spend relaxed time with people.
Test yourself
“Maya hung up after her evening call with her sister.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hang out
A contrast learners often mix up
Spend time in a relaxed way, often with friends
break up
Same up pattern: stopping
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
close up
Same up pattern: stopping
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
give up
Same up pattern: stopping
Stop trying; surrender; Stop doing or using something
hold up
Same up pattern: stopping
Raise and keep raised; Delay a person or process
lay up
Same up pattern: stopping
Force someone to stay in bed because of illness or injury
let up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less intense or stop
loosen up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less tense or formal, especially before an activity
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