HANG-UP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hang-up mean? 

• HANG-UP (noun)
  The noun HANG-UP has 2 senses:

1. an emotional preoccupation

2. an unforeseen obstacle

  Familiarity information: HANG-UP used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HANG-UP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An emotional preoccupation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("hang-up" is a kind of...):

preoccupation (an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An unforeseen obstacle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

hang-up; hitch; rub; snag

Hypernyms ("hang-up" is a kind of...):

obstacle; obstruction (something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted)