Hanger-on
noun
A person who associates with another person or a group mainly in order to benefit from their wealth or success.
He quickly became tired of all the hangers-on who were just after his newfound wealth.
Often appears as...
- become a hanger-on
- deal with hangers-on
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who associates with another person or a group mainly in order to benefit from their wealth or success.
He quickly became tired of all the hangers-on who were just after his newfound wealth.
Often appears as...
- become a hanger-on
- deal with hangers-on
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The term 'hanger-on' usually implies that someone is unwelcome or disapproved of by others.
The band was followed by a hanger-on who contributed nothing to their work.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Reciprocal
'Hanger-on' suggests a one-sided relationship where one person benefits at the expense of another.
After he won the lottery, Mark's cousin turned into a hanger-on, always asking for money.
Pro Tip 3/3Wealth and Success Focus
Use 'hanger-on' when the person is specifically attracted to someone's wealth or success.
Celebrities often attract hangers-on who want to be seen in exclusive circles.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The term 'hanger-on' usually implies that someone is unwelcome or disapproved of by others.
The band was followed by a hanger-on who contributed nothing to their work.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Reciprocal
'Hanger-on' suggests a one-sided relationship where one person benefits at the expense of another.
After he won the lottery, Mark's cousin turned into a hanger-on, always asking for money.
Pro Tip 3/3Wealth and Success Focus
Use 'hanger-on' when the person is specifically attracted to someone's wealth or success.
Celebrities often attract hangers-on who want to be seen in exclusive circles.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The term 'hanger-on' usually implies that someone is unwelcome or disapproved of by others.
The band was followed by a hanger-on who contributed nothing to their work.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Reciprocal
'Hanger-on' suggests a one-sided relationship where one person benefits at the expense of another.
After he won the lottery, Mark's cousin turned into a hanger-on, always asking for money.
Pro Tip 3/3Wealth and Success Focus
Use 'hanger-on' when the person is specifically attracted to someone's wealth or success.
Celebrities often attract hangers-on who want to be seen in exclusive circles.
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Video examples
Andrew Mwenda: Let's...
You have to pay the army and the police to show law and order. And because many of our governments are quite dictatorial, they need really to have the army clobber the opposition. The second thing you need to do is pay your political hangers-on. Why should people support their government?
Video examples
Feeding the Young PIPE...
how one experienced lioness on her own keeps six hangers-on well-fed
Video examples
Andrew Mwenda: Let's...
You have to pay the army and the police to show law and order. And because many of our governments are quite dictatorial, they need really to have the army clobber the opposition. The second thing you need to do is pay your political hangers-on. Why should people support their government?
Video examples
Feeding the Young PIPE...
how one experienced lioness on her own keeps six hangers-on well-fed
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
John Niven
Scottish Author
It's tough being a dictator, but I've always thought it must be tougher being a hanger-on to a dictator. The late nights spent listening to his crazed ranting, the weary rictus grin from smiling at bad jokes, the draining knowledge that one misjudged comment could land you on the chopping block.
Quote examples
Frank Bruno
British Athlete
Boxing is the toughest and loneliest sport in the world. You've got all the fans, lots of hangers-on jumping up and shouting different words. But when you actually go in the ring, it's a very lonely and scary place. It's just you and the other guy.
Quote examples
Thomas Hoving
American Educator
My address book of dealers and private collectors, smugglers and fixers, agents, runners and the peculiar assortment of art hangers-on was longer than anyone else's in the field.
Quote examples
Sol Campbell
English Businessman
For too long executive officials, businesspeople and hangers-on have enjoyed this private casino, using the payments into Fifa's account to fund their lavish lifestyles.
Quote examples
Mike Oldfield
English Musician
The biggest problems were to do with... well, to get that successful when you're so young, it attracts hangers-on, parasites, people who want to feed off you.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
Mistreatment of al Qaeda members and their friends and hangers-on is something I number among my moral concerns. But it's number 1,000,000,001.
Quote examples
Anton Chekhov
Russian Dramatist
The wealthy are always surrounded by hangers-on; science and art are as well.
Quote examples
John Niven
Scottish Author
It's tough being a dictator, but I've always thought it must be tougher being a hanger-on to a dictator. The late nights spent listening to his crazed ranting, the weary rictus grin from smiling at bad jokes, the draining knowledge that one misjudged comment could land you on the chopping block.
Quote examples
Frank Bruno
British Athlete
Boxing is the toughest and loneliest sport in the world. You've got all the fans, lots of hangers-on jumping up and shouting different words. But when you actually go in the ring, it's a very lonely and scary place. It's just you and the other guy.
Quote examples
Thomas Hoving
American Educator
My address book of dealers and private collectors, smugglers and fixers, agents, runners and the peculiar assortment of art hangers-on was longer than anyone else's in the field.
Quote examples
Sol Campbell
English Businessman
For too long executive officials, businesspeople and hangers-on have enjoyed this private casino, using the payments into Fifa's account to fund their lavish lifestyles.
Quote examples
Mike Oldfield
English Musician
The biggest problems were to do with... well, to get that successful when you're so young, it attracts hangers-on, parasites, people who want to feed off you.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
Mistreatment of al Qaeda members and their friends and hangers-on is something I number among my moral concerns. But it's number 1,000,000,001.
Quote examples
Anton Chekhov
Russian Dramatist
The wealthy are always surrounded by hangers-on; science and art are as well.
Example 1 of 7
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