Etymology Journal · H
Hang in there
Meaning
- A gentle, encouraging way to tell someone to keep going through a difficult time without actually providing any helpful advice. It is the verbal equivalent of a cat poster on a breakroom wall.
Supportive, vague, optimistic
Used in a sentence
- I know the project is tough, but just hang in there.
- Hang in there, graduation is only two weeks away.
- I know you are stressed, but hang in there.
The backstory
The phrase became iconic in the 1970s thanks to a famous poster featuring a kitten dangling from a bamboo pole. It quickly migrated from office decor to universal shorthand for stay strong.
Heard in
Nationwide
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