to get the hang of: to become familiar with the proper wielding or use of a tool; fig. 18 other terms for got the hang of it- words and phrases with similar meaning. smoothly. What did it mean, originally, to "get the hang" of something? After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. [VERB preposition/adverb] A light-bulb hanging from the ceiling filled the room with a cold yellow light. 12. In truth, the saying is most likely derived from the Freemasons, a centuries-old fraternal organization whose members undergo rigorous questioning and examinations before becoming third degree members, or master masons.. I sensed that this one might be more slippery than some, that's all. It doesn't seem to have been originally associated with drapery or any other special use of hang; the connecting notion might be "general bent or tendency." For example, if you get or find your bearings, you succeed in learning about a new situation, especially learning where things are: It takes a while to get your bearings when you start a new job. An example of get the hang of is a beginning knitter who has just created her first scarf without dropping a stitch. 2023. (VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images), https://www.history.com/news/10-common-sayings-with-historical-origins, 10 Common Sayings With Historical Origins. Change). From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English get the hang of something get the hang of something informal LEARN to learn how to do something or use something It seems difficult at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it. 2023. When we use this expression, we use either the past tense (I got the hang of it), future tense (I will get the hang of it)or present continuous tense (Im getting the hang of it). likewise, not let you down when you need him. Therefore, we often say "She never got the hang of it." or "I'll never get the hang of it.". See also: get, hang, of, something Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary Farlex 2017 See also: All posts copyright their original authors. synonyms. This is not for the squeamish. To save this word, you'll need to log in. At first, speaking Japanese was really hard for me, but I got the hang of it after a little while. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. In its earliest incarnation in the 1700s, the expression described condemned men who struggled the longest when they were executed by hanging. to swing freely, as on a hinge. Accessed 1 May. Definition of 'get the hang of sth' get the hang of sth phrase If you get the hang of something such as a skill or activity, you begin to understand or realize how to do it. Like a child learning how to ride a bicycle. skill. Extra Examples kill somebody ( hanged, hanged) informal (understand) . Is Brooke shields related to willow shields? Delivered to your inbox! The humanitarian thing was to let the person's neck break; this caused a quick death. It doesn't seem to have been originally associated with drapery or any other special use of hang; the connecting notion might be "general bent or tendency." Languagehat, I know that this your bailiwick, but the OED's oldest cite there is 1845, and it seems far from confident, since that use is clearly one that was written long after the writer expected the idiom to be understood. it?" noun the way in which a thing hangs. phrases. . I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. Thus, I think most of the hung individuals would have died very quickly and the need to 'get the hang of it' would have been minimal. In 1837, the Marquis of Waterforda known lush and mischief makerled a group of friends on a night of drinking through the English town of Melton Mowbray. hang Examples from the Corpus get the hang of something I increasingly got the hang of handling Berni. Lists. When a person is hung, the moment after the drop where the rope snaps tight either breaks the person's neck or it doesn't. The humanitarian thing was to let the person's neck break; this caused a quick death. For more information, please see our hang something She hung her head in shame. See also: get, hang, of The more familair you are with the banace of a tool or weapon, the more proficient. The idea of resting on your laurels dates back to leaders and athletic stars of ancient Greece. getting the hang. The phrase turn a blind eyeoften used to refer to a willful refusal to acknowledge a particular realitydates back to a legendary chapter in the career of the British naval hero Horatio Nelson. Times, Sunday Times (2006) "getting the hang of it" means getting used to performing a See also: get, hang, of, something Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary Farlex 2017 See also: Pend- is a Latin root meaning "hang" that gives us words like HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. example. Could it have to do with rigging? To get the hang of (something) "become capable" is from 1834, American English, perhaps originally in reference to a certain tool or feat, but, if so, its origin has been forgotten. All Rights Reserved. An acquired or natural skill at doing something. There's a moment when she "gets the hang of it" and can ride on her own. The law was later put to the test in 1819 during the infamous Peterloo Massacre, in which a cavalry unit attacked a large group of protestors after they appeared to ignore a reading of the Riot Act. There's no claim to be certain that that was what it "originally" meant. To get the hang of it is to keep the land wheel running true. See full dictionary entry for hang Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's Dictionary. (LogOut/ The phrase later became even more popular after 1811s Battle of Albuera during the Napoleonic Wars. At first the movie made no sense to me, but after a while I got the hang of it. get the hang. colloq.) But It took me a few minutes to get the hang of things when I put the Legend through an amp. Thus, for mariners, by and large referred to trawling the seas in any and all directions relative to the wind. To top it all off, the mob literally painted a tollgate, the doors of several homes and a swan statue with red paint. One explanation I've heard - and I can't confirm it's true, but it makes sense and is interesting in any case - is here: I don't know specifically, but I would guess it originates in some trade where you would literally hang somethinglike wallpaper. get the hang of something ( informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. You want Pretty sure it refers to hanging something (like a framed photo or painting) up so that it is straight. lovebug? Updated: August 23, 2018 | Original: April 23, 2013. During 1801s Battle of Copenhagen, Nelsons ships were pitted against a large Danish-Norwegian fleet. See, I like the usages I cited where "hang" is clearly a. I always thought it was an archaic usage of "hang" as suggested by dhartung's last search result, meaning balance and related to using a tool. While it typically refers to someone with a strong dedication to a particular set of beliefs, the term diehard originally had a series of much more literal meanings. Get the hang of. Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/get%20the%20hang%20of. This expression is used when we want to talk about becoming skillful at something after starting to do it for the first time. : Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Amokderived from the Amuco, a band of Javanese and Malay warriors who were known for their penchant for indiscriminate violencewas initially a source of morbid fascination for Westerners. Writing in 1772, the famed explorer Captain James Cook noted that to run amok is to sally forth from the house, kill the person or persons supposed to have injured the Amock, and any other person that attempts to impede his passage. Once thought to be the result of possession by evil spirits, the phenomenon later found its way into psychiatric manuals. Definition of get the hang of as in master to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in He's really getting the hang of riding his bike now. I took her ice-skating for the first time, and she got the hang of it right away. Running amok is commonly used to describe wild or erratic behavior, but the phrase actually began its life as a medical term. It My grandmother tried to teach my mom how to knit, but she never got the hang of it. antonyms. I've seen some speculation as to the origin of the idiom, "getting the hang of it" but the explanation that is the most likely is just about the last thing you find when you search it online. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, a straw will show which way the wind blows, (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you, the webmaster's page for free fun content. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. A dependable person would, Therefore,we oftensay She never got the hang of it. or Ill never get the hang of it. However, if we use the present continuous, we dont use the wordnever. something: I haven't got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. get the hang of something phrase informal Add to word list C2 to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple: "I've never used this program before." "Don't worry - you'll soon get the hang of it." I had never sailed a boat before but by the third day, I was getting the hang of it. At first you drive all jerky and the car stalls a lot. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, a straw will show which way the wind blows, (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you, the webmaster's page for free fun content. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. Hang by a thread. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! To save this word, you'll need to log in. Today, sailors and landlubbers alike now use the phrase as a synonym for all things considered or for the most part., There are several tales about the origin of the third degree, a saying commonly used for long or arduous interrogations. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'get the hang of.' All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Also, if we use it in the negative, it's very common to use the word "never". The dog's tongue was hanging out. A cigarette hung from her lips. In Hellenic times, laurel leaves were closely tied to Apollo, the god of music, prophecy and poetry. You get the hang of the thing. (orig. Meanwhile, the much less desirable by, or full and by, meant the vessel was traveling into the wind. Its so confusing! in the act by affording him greater leeway/opportunity (as in a Get the hang of. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20the%20hang%20of. READ ALONG TO PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH AND TO LEARN THE MEANING OF GET THE HANG OF IT: So when you first start doing something you're not very good at it, but i. And I don't think there's anything particularly unclear about it; one of the things you do when you get accustomed to a tool is get the heft, the feel, of it, part of which involves getting used to the way it hangs from your hand. She pedals down the street with her father running behind steadying the bike. De- comes from Latin, too. I haven't played it in a week, I was just getting the . What is the origin of Getting the hang of it? I believe it refers to the process of "hanging" or putting a handle on an axe. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? Still yet another theory suggests the phrase was actually born out of the brothels of the American West, and referred to men behaving as though their whole town were a red-light district. It became popular in the 1950s, around the same time as go ape, so there may have . The game sounds really complicated when it's being explained out loud, but you'll get the hang of it once you start playing. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. It's quite parallel to "get the feel of.". Venerable Greeks and Romans, or laureates, were thus able to rest on their laurels by basking in the glory of past achievements. Go Bananas. So, we would say Im not getting the hang of this. Note that we use the word this instead of it because its happening at that moment. Hang your hat on (something) Idiom eBooks from UsingEnglish.com. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! get the hang of something ngha, nh ngha, get the hang of something l g: 1. to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple: 2. to learn how to do. 4. While ostensibly a reward, the creatures were tremendously expensive to feed and house, and caring for one often drove the recipient into financial ruin. what is the origin of the lovebug? Hang fire. expertise. pendulum, pendant and pendulous. Several idioms exist in this area. If you're learning how to drive a stick shift, for example. But in 18th-century England, the Riot Act was a very real document, and it was often recited aloud to angry mobs. becomes accustomed. to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple: 2. to learn how to do Times, Sunday Times (2010) You'll get the hang of it with no pressure to perform. get the hang of doing [sth] v expr. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. On a scientific/technical note - most people who die from hanging don't die from either a broken neck or strangulation. At first you drive all jerky and the car stalls a lot.. Russia threatned to place Nuclear weapons in Cuba, and America was very afraid because we are very close to Cuba. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. get the hang of (something) To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. and our slacking rope), Continue Learning about English Language Arts. That's my guess, anyway. Now, imagine, say, an animal running obliquely to you. After hanging and rehanging an axe, you start to get (or understand) how to position the handle just right on the axe head. Posted by James Briggs on September 24, 2003, In Reply to: "Get the hang of it" posted by Dan on September 24, 2003. : I checked the archives, but previous explanations of this phrase don't agree with me. sentences. For example. Maybe I misread. Accessed 1 May. getting the hang. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. The cartoon shows the leaders of two superpowers (Russia and USA) arm wrestling with a twist, they are sitting on Nuclear bombs, and their ngers are over the trigger. Buy our lists of British English, American English and Animal idioms in PDF format. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/I+am+getting+the+hang+of+it. One moose, two moose. Tm hiu thm. However, for a better show, if the neck didn't break, the person would twitch and struggle and suffer death by strangulation, although this was considered sloppy work. Notices painted on sheets hang at every entrance. knack. to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in, Post more words for get the hang of to Facebook, Share more words for get the hang of on Twitter. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. as soon as you "get the hang of it", you're used to driving [VERB preposition/adverb] Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. to shoot it. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. I was born December18,1963When would I graduate high school? Robbins says: "When you have a guy, I guess like myself, who can hang the ball up there, have high hang time, you benefit more from pro-style and letting your fast guys get down there . to be suspended; dangle. Idiom: get the hang of something learn how to do something to understand the technique of doing something Example sentences I got the hang of ice-skating the first time I tried it. When a person is hung, the moment after the drop where the rope snaps tight either breaks the person's neck or it doesn't. The humanitarian thing was to let the person's neck break; this caused a quick death. What is another word for getting the hang of? For example: I know chess can be hard, but Im sure youll get the hang of it eventually. get the hang. means "From". YourDictionary suggest new. It's a process that has to be done right, and was done quite often in the mid-1800s when the idiom started to appear in the United States. Every time I get the hang of an idea it suddenly turns into something different and I turn into a fool! ability. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. A common cause is 'vagal inhibition', whereby certain nerves in the neck are stimulated by the act of compression to induce a signal which causes the heart to stop. without risk of it letting you down. [intransitive, transitive] to bend or let something bend downwards hang adv./prep. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. Philately is to Stamps as ____ is to Rocks. become proficient in acquire the skill of acquire the technique of catch on to learn the art of get going get into your stride get up to speed acquire become skilled at get become competent in know inside out get down pat learn the ropes gain familiarize oneself with get clued up about familiarize yourself with hit the books acquire skill in more Cookie Notice If you have a question about idioms, ask us about it in our Idioms Discussion Forum. "getting the hang of it" means getting used to performing a specific task. Whether any specific rulers actually bestowed such a passive-aggressive gift is uncertain, but the term has since come to refer to any burdensome possessionpachyderm or otherwise. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. I know that English idioms can be hard, but Im sure youll get the hang of using them if you study hard! When his more conservative superior officer flagged for him to withdraw, the one-eyed Nelson supposedly brought his telescope to his bad eye and blithely proclaimed, I really do not see the signal. He went on to score a decisive victory. I like to think it comes from the skill of being able to "hang-10" on a surfboard. They're perfect to use offline for reference or for use in class! Which are the best resorts for conference venues in Jim Corbett? get how this works. be used to it. it means that to catch a criminal (and presumably have him To get the hang of something means to become familiar with it. Send us feedback about these examples. got carried away. In every business,in every industry, management does matter. T Tabac Senior Member get the hang of [sth] v expr. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance master get learn pick up understand know drink (in) find out search (for) hit (on or upon) see study hear discover track (down) run down tumble (to) absorb These days, angry parents might threaten to read the riot act to their unruly children. figured it. Learn the proper way of doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something. Only later did the phrase take on a negative connotation, and since the 1800s it has been used for those who are overly satisfied with past triumphs. The expression go bananas is slang, and the origin is a bit harder to pin down. informal (learn to do) . The marquis and his pranksters later compensated Melton for the damages, but their drunken escapade is likely the reason that paint the town red became shorthand for a wild night out. aiim, because of the 'hang' of the gun. The idiom for this week is to get the hang of something. I never got the hang of playing video games so I hate them. The bender culminated in vandalism after Waterford and his fellow revelers knocked over flowerpots, pulled knockers off of doors and broke the windows of some of the towns buildings. what is the origin of the get accustomed. Learn a new word every day. Get a report of the VfL Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund 2022-23 German Bundesliga football match. (LogOut/ I got the hang of driving a car I got the hang of life in the Far East I don't think that, in BE, the phrase is used very often of people, but here it clearly means that the person speaking doesn't feel familiar enough with the people in the case to have a suspect. get the hang of something phrase informal C2 to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple: "I've never used this program before." "Don't worry - you'll soon get the hang of it." I had never sailed a boat before but by the third day, I was getting the hang of it. Some convey the idea of getting used to a new situation or getting used to your role in that new situation. The "public executions by hanging" derivation is ridiculous. thesaurus. Noun. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. The back of my brain is busy trying to tie this all together with "get the knack of" which leads me to "knickknack", which wait wasn't I. I agree with languagehat on everything except the "wielding" metaphor. If your or someone else's bright idea doesn't start from that, it's wrong. when does coordination become the distinctive task of management why? Hang in the balance. The Sun (2015) It is pretty easy to get the hang of. What is the origin of the phrase "getting the hang" of something? to get to understand, manage, master, deal with as an adept; to acquire the knack of. I dont think Ill ever get the hang of this new computer software. got a knack. To get the hang of (something) "become capable" is from 1834, American English, perhaps originally in reference to a certain tool or feat, but, if so, its origin has been forgotten. verb To get the hang of is defined as to learn how to do something and to become better or more skilled at something that you may initially not have been very good at. Kids and adult newbies to the hoverboard world will appreciate the Razor Hovertrax Prizmas training setting, allowing riders to, Luckily, skin cycling is a pretty easy process to, After some practice, Brolin, who's married to legendary singer Barbra Streisand, started to, And while these mystery relatives have (presumably) never spent much time in front of a camera, most of them, But Computer Space proved too complex for tipsy patrons to, Judging from one photo, Pea is going to need to study some tape of his predecessor to really, With the latest surge of Covid-19 raging, now may be the ideal time to, Post the Definition of get the hang of to Facebook, Share the Definition of get the hang of on Twitter. Children hung (= were leaning) over the gate. DePendAble means you are Able to Hang From something Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. When you get the hang (the proper spot along the wire or hook to seat it), it looks right and is balanced. The saying was popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries, when European visitors to Malaysia learned of a peculiar mental affliction that caused otherwise normal tribesmen to go on brutal and seemingly random killing sprees. Privacy Policy. For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. Get a new gun, the hang time may differ. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Horatio Nelson. See also: get, hang, of White elephants were once considered highly sacred creatures in Thailandthe animal even graced the national flag until 1917but they were also wielded as a subtle form of punishment. pulling the trigger, the flint striking, the gunpowder lighting, There was a time-delay between The more we practice what we learn, the more we get the hang of it. [informal] It's a bit tricky at first till you get the hang of it. Get the hang of sth definition: If you get the hang of something such as a skill or activity , you begin to understand or. : That fall and winter, Long forbearingly shepherded me through rewrites of the papers he assigned, and incrementally I started to get the hang of it. Learn the proper way of doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something. catch that. Like "learning the ropes"? Also, if we use it in the negative,its very common touse the word never. Informal. "Not yet, but soon I'll get the hang of it.". get the hang of something1. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. It refers to a person trying to learn a new skill or new subject and the moment when all the study and or practice pays off. get the knack. : Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. and finally the bullet shooting from the chamber. get the hang of idiom Synonyms of get the hang of informal : to learn the skills that are needed to do (something) He was finally getting the hang of his job. Find out more about the unusual origin stories behind 10 everyday phrases. Comes from the use of a musket. For example. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. However, for a better show, if the neck didn't break, the . Some historians have since dismissed Nelsons famous quip as merely a battlefield myth, but the phrase turn a blind eye persists to this day.
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