Are you having a tough time but looking for a way to deal with it? Maybe you know someone going through trials and tribulations and you want to say something encouraging. If so, the idiom hang in there will come in handy. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n
The meaning of hang in there is for a person to stay strong in the face of adverse circumstances. One can be said to be strong or to stay strong in the face of adversity as well. If someone says to hang in there, it can also mean to remain steadfast for a set period of time or until relief comes along. The phrase also means not to give up when working towards a goal. If you want someone to maintain their determination, you can tell them to hang in there as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n The easiest way to explain \u201chang in there\u201d is by saying in means not to give up regardless of the circumstances. It is a phrase that is often used to give others encouragement during tough times. When someone shares bad news or gives an indirect plea for help, it is common to respond with \u201chang in there\u201d as a form of passive encouragement.<\/p>\n \u201cJust hang in there, things are going to be alright\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt may seem like a good time to give up, just hang in there, good times are on the horizon\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cTry to just hang in there until your next paycheck, then you can get the treatment you need\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThings are really tough right now, telling me to hang in there is not actually helpful\u201d.<\/p>\n For most people, the phrase hang in there has been around their whole lives. This of course is for good reason, it has been around a while. The words to hang specifically are Old English which means be suspended. During the late 60s and early 70s, the phrase hang in there came to be and gained popularity. Victor Baldwin was a well-known photographer who created some of the first motivational posters ever. Baldwin, who shot famous people such as Donald Regan and Frank Sinatra, had a penchant for photographing animals as well.<\/p>\n In 1963, he shot one such photo of a cat, which he and his wife published. One picture of a cat titled \u201cThe Outcast Kitten\u201d was placed on the back of the book cover. The cat, named Sassy was hanging off of a bamboo pole which went on to become one of the most favored images of all time. Baldwin eventually made the picture into a poster and added the phrase \u201chang in there\u201d. The phrase we use today is this exact phrase.<\/p>\nExample Usage<\/h2>\n
Origin<\/h2>\n