Hang in there means keep going and don't give up, even though things are hard right now. You say it to support someone going through a difficult time: a new job, exams or an illness. The phrase is informal and warm: it suits a friend or colleague and IELTS Speaking, but not an IELTS essay.
When would you say hang in there?
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Hang in there! (support); just hang in there; hang in there + until + time/event
- I know the first month at a new job is hard, but hang in there.
- Just hang in there until Friday, and then we can finally celebrate the end of the project.
- My Spanish still sounds terrible, but my teacher keeps telling me to hang in there.
What changed
First versionYour exams are almost over. Hold yourself, you can do it.
RevisionYour exams are almost over. Hang in there, you can do it.
Hold yourself may look like a way to say stay strong, but in English it describes how you carry your body, for example straight or with dignity, and it doesn't sound like support. To someone who is having a hard time, say the fixed phrase hang in there. Nothing else in the sentence has changed.
Hang on looks similar but usually means wait: Hang on, I'll get my keys. Hang in there is support through a difficult period that lasts weeks or months: Hang in there, the worst part is over.
Your turn
My friend is in the last month of a hard training course and wants to quit, so I told her, '___, you're nearly there.'
Show the answer
Hang in there — Your friend wants to quit the course, and you are encouraging her to get through to the end: that is hang in there. Hang on a second means wait a second; you say it to ask someone to wait, not to support them through a hard time.
Write a short message to a friend or colleague who is going through a hard time. Say what exactly is difficult for them and how much longer they need to hold on.
I know the night shifts are exhausting, but hang in there: only two more weeks and you'll be back on days.
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