Transitive/intransitive phrasal verb used to indicate termination, especially ending a phone call quickly.

To signal that a caller wishes to end a conversation without further dialogue (often abrupt) or to describe physically hanging an object on a hook.

When someone is frustrated with the other party’s speech during a phone call, when decorating and needing to hang pictures or curtains, etc.

Everyday casual conversations, professional settings such as business calls, customer service interactions.

hang up

hang up

the phone/call, objects like pictures or curtains, figurative uses like ending a relationship (on someone)

• abruptly
• without saying anything further
• don’t hang up on anyone

• end the call
• put down the receiver
• ring off
• in non-telephone contexts: hang a picture on the wall
• hang curtains up

‘Hang me up’ is incorrect; correct forms are ‘hang it up’ (e.g., ‘Please hang the phone up.’) and avoid confusing ‘hang up on someone’ with ‘hang up’ alone

ring off, end the call; contrasted with the abruptness of ‘hang up on someone’

Note that in some languages ‘hang up’ literally refers to physically hanging objects, which can cause confusion when applied only to phones. Also be aware that figurative use for ending relationships may have different connotations across cultures.

• hang-up (noun
• inhibition)

Often implies an abrupt or impatient termination of a call (e.g., after irritation), whereas the literal sense of hanging objects carries no emotional tone

Conveys annoyance, urgency, or politeness depending on context—polite usage signals respect; abrupt usage suggests impatience or rudeness

Don’t hang up on me!

The phrasal verb 'hang up' is commonly used in everyday language to end a phone call or to hang objects on a hook. It can be used in both transitive and intransitive forms, and its meaning can vary based on context.

hang up your boots (retire)