The difference between Hang on and Keep

When used as verbs, hang on means to wait a moment (usually imperative), whereas keep means to continue in (a course or mode of action).


Keep is also noun with the meaning: care, notice.

check bellow for the other definitions of Hang on and Keep

  1. Hang on as a verb (idiomatic):

    To wait a moment (usually imperative).

    Examples:

    "'Hang on. Let me check."

  2. Hang on as a verb:

    To hold, grasp, or grip.

    Examples:

    "'Hang on to the handle so you don't drop it."

  3. Hang on as a verb (idiomatic):

    To keep; to store something for someone

    Examples:

    "'Hang on to my jacket until I get back."

  4. Hang on as a verb (idiomatic):

    To pay close attention.

    Examples:

    "The audience hangs on his every word."

  5. Hang on as a verb (idiomatic):

    To continually believe in something; to have faith in.

    Examples:

    "He's got a philosophy he hangs on to."

  6. Hang on as a verb (idiomatic):

    To persevere.

    Examples:

    "Just hang on and keep going; this pain won't last forever."

  1. Keep as a verb:

    To continue in (a course or mode of action); not to intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.

    Examples:

    "to keep silence;  to keep one's word;  to keep possession"

  2. Keep as a verb (transitive):

    To hold the status of something. To maintain possession of. To maintain the condition of. To record transactions, accounts, or events in. To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book. To remain in, to be confined to. To restrain. To watch over, look after, guard, protect. To supply with necessities and financially support a person. To raise; to care for. To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage. To have habitually in stock for sale.

    Examples:

    "I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies."

    "I keep my specimens under glass to protect them."

    "The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours."

    "I used to keep a diary."

    "I keep my brother out of trouble by keeping him away from his friends and hard at work."

    "May the Lord keep you from harm."

    "He kept a mistress for over ten years."

    "He has been keeping orchids since retiring."

  3. Keep as a verb (intransitive):

    To hold or be held in a state. To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell. To continue. To remain edible or otherwise usable. To remain in a state.

    Examples:

    "She kept to her bed while the fever lasted."

    "I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail."

    "Potatoes can keep if they are in a [[root cellar]]."

    "Latex paint won't keep indefinitely."

    "The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still."

    "'Keep calm! There's no need to panic."

  4. Keep as a verb (obsolete):

    To wait for, keep watch for.

  5. Keep as a verb (intransitive, cricket):

    To act as wicket-keeper.

    Examples:

    "Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years."

  6. Keep as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.

  7. Keep as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To be in session; to take place.

    Examples:

    "School keeps today."

  8. Keep as a verb (transitive):

    To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate.

  9. Keep as a verb (transitive, dated):

    To confine oneself to; not to quit; to remain in.

    Examples:

    "to keep one's house, room, bed, etc."

  10. Keep as a verb (transitive, dated, by extension):

    To visit (a place) often; to frequent.

  1. Keep as a noun (obsolete):

    Care, notice

  2. Keep as a noun (historical):

    The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.

    Examples:

    "synonyms: donjon"

  3. Keep as a noun:

    The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.

    Examples:

    "He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep."

  4. Keep as a noun:

    The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.

  5. Keep as a noun:

    The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.

    Examples:

    "to be in good keep'"

  6. Keep as a noun (obsolete):

    That which is kept in charge; a charge.

  7. Keep as a noun (engineering):

    A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.

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