Hang about
phrasal verb
To stay or wait somewhere without a clear purpose.
He's been hanging about outside my house for hours.
Often appears as...
- hang about outside
- hang about in
phrasal verb
To spend time somewhere, especially with no purpose.
After school, they would hang about in the shopping mall.
Often appears as...
- hang about in
- hang about at
phrasal verb
To be in a place or situation longer than you want to be.
He didn't want to hang about, he wanted to get the job done.
Often appears as...
- don't want to hang about
- not going to hang about
phrasal verb
To stay or wait somewhere without a clear purpose.
He's been hanging about outside my house for hours.
Often appears as...
- hang about outside
- hang about in
phrasal verb
To spend time somewhere, especially with no purpose.
After school, they would hang about in the shopping mall.
Often appears as...
- hang about in
- hang about at
phrasal verb
To be in a place or situation longer than you want to be.
He didn't want to hang about, he wanted to get the job done.
Often appears as...
- don't want to hang about
- not going to hang about
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Social Context
Used when someone stays near a place or person, possibly waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.
Why do you hang about near the cinema every evening?
Pro Tip 2/3Lack of Purpose
Implies a lack of specific intent or goal, often with an unwelcome or suspicious undertone.
The group of youths were just hanging about, with nothing to do.
Pro Tip 3/3Not in a Hurry
Suggests someone is not in a rush and is spending their time leisurely.
It's a nice day, let's hang about the park for a while.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Context
Used when someone stays near a place or person, possibly waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.
Why do you hang about near the cinema every evening?
Pro Tip 2/3Lack of Purpose
Implies a lack of specific intent or goal, often with an unwelcome or suspicious undertone.
The group of youths were just hanging about, with nothing to do.
Pro Tip 3/3Not in a Hurry
Suggests someone is not in a rush and is spending their time leisurely.
It's a nice day, let's hang about the park for a while.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Context
Used when someone stays near a place or person, possibly waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.
Why do you hang about near the cinema every evening?
Pro Tip 2/3Lack of Purpose
Implies a lack of specific intent or goal, often with an unwelcome or suspicious undertone.
The group of youths were just hanging about, with nothing to do.
Pro Tip 3/3Not in a Hurry
Suggests someone is not in a rush and is spending their time leisurely.
It's a nice day, let's hang about the park for a while.
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