Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. Russia threatned to place Nuclear weapons in Cuba, and America was very afraid because we are very close to Cuba. 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. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. got carried away. 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. Meaning of GET THE HANG OF IT - A Really Short English Lesson with https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/I+am+getting+the+hang+of+it. 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." Send us feedback about these examples. An example of get the hang of is a beginning knitter who has just created her first scarf without dropping a stitch. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. According to legend, if an underling or rival angered a Siamese king, the royal might present the unfortunate man with the gift of a white elephant. At first you drive all jerky and the car stalls a lot.. Synonyms of get the hang of - Merriam Webster I am getting the hang of it - Idioms by The Free Dictionary 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. becomes accustomed. All posts copyright their original authors. Get the hang of sth definition and meaning - Collins Dictionary 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. Like "learning the ropes"? 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 Is Brooke shields related to willow shields? 11. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. Buy our lists of British English, American English and Animal idioms in PDF format. 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. to get the hang of: to become familiar with the proper wielding or use of a tool; fig. It can get tough, but you will get the hang of it. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! 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. to be suspended; dangle. I like to think it comes from the skill of being able to "hang-10" on a surfboard. informal (learn to do) . get the feel. get the hang of ( third-person singular simple present gets the hang of, present participle getting the hang of, simple past got the hang of, past participle (UK) got the hang of or (US) gotten the hang of ) ( colloquial) To begin to understand or manage at a basic level; to learn to handle with some skill. 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. something: I haven't got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. get the hang. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! Like a child learning how to ride a bicycle. Times, Sunday Times (2010) You'll get the hang of it with no pressure to perform. Hang of it - phrase meaning and origin - Phrasefinder To top it all off, the mob literally painted a tollgate, the doors of several homes and a swan statue with red paint. [VERB preposition/adverb] A light-bulb hanging from the ceiling filled the room with a cold yellow light. There was a time-delay between [intransitive, transitive] to bend or let something bend downwards hang adv./prep. got a knack. 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. Meaning of GET THE HANG OF IT - A Really Short English Lesson with Modern English speakers use the phrase crocodile tears to describe a display of superficial or false sorrow, but the saying actually derives from a medieval belief that crocodiles shed tears of sadness while they killed and consumed their prey. expertise. "Not yet, but soon I'll get the hang of it.". T Tabac Senior Member getting used. But in 18th-century England, the Riot Act was a very real document, and it was often recited aloud to angry mobs. Get the hang of it - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Victorious athletes at the ancient Pythian Games received wreaths made of laurel branches, and the Romans later adopted the practice and presented wreaths to generals who won important battles. YourDictionary At first the movie made no sense to me, but after a while I got the hang of it. 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. You want 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. 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. It became popular in the 1950s, around the same time as go ape, so there may have . When you get the hang (the proper spot along the wire or hook to seat it), it looks right and is balanced. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/I+get+the+hang+of+it. What is the origin of the phrase "getting the hang" of something? The idea of resting on your laurels dates back to leaders and athletic stars of ancient Greece. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. antonyms. If you're learning how to drive a stick shift, for example. catch that. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. [informal] It's a bit tricky at first till you get the hang of it. See also: get, hang, of figured it. The phrase "turn a blind eye"often 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.. 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. Extra Examples kill somebody ( hanged, hanged) 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. Learn the proper way of doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. Every time I get the hang of an idea it suddenly turns into something different and I turn into a fool! Delivered to your inbox! I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. : 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. 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. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. VfL Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund - Football Match Report - ESPN specific task. sentences. If your or someone else's bright idea doesn't start from that, it's wrong. Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. hang | Etymology, origin and meaning of hang by etymonline noun the way in which a thing hangs. 18 Words and Phrases for Got The Hang Of It - Power Thesaurus Cold War Cartoons Flashcards | Quizlet In Hellenic times, laurel leaves were closely tied to Apollo, the god of music, prophecy and poetry. Now, imagine, say, an animal running obliquely to you. 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. synonyms. After hanging and rehanging an axe, you start to get (or understand) how to position the handle just right on the axe head. 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). Meanwhile, the much less desirable by, or full and by, meant the vessel was traveling into the wind. The Sun (2015) It is pretty easy to get the hang of. means "From". The humanitarian thing was to let the person's neck break; this caused a quick death. I believe it refers to the process of "hanging" or putting a handle on an axe. 18 other terms for got the hang of it- words and phrases with similar meaning. get it. For more information, please see our NFL Draft: The Green Bay Packers Will Be Looking For Their - Forbes it?" Times, Sunday Times (2006) When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. idiom: to get the hang of something | English Help Online's Blog 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. Comes from the use of a musket. This is not for the squeamish. I never got the hang of playing video games so I hate them. If you're doing it right you would have "gotten the hang of it". knack. Its so confusing! Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Learn a new word every day. 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. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. Get the hang of sth definition: If you get the hang of something such as a skill or activity , you begin to understand or. Lists. 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. The "public executions by hanging" derivation is ridiculous. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. Running amok is commonly used to describe wild or erratic behavior, but the phrase actually began its life as a medical term. 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. 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. The idiom for this week is to get the hang of something. So, we would say . something: I haven't got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. People, read the OED entry quoted above: it originally meant "to become familiar with the proper wielding or use of a tool." get the hang. . Don't worry, in a few days you'll get the hang of it. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. 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. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Also, if we use it in the negative,its very common touse the word never. get the hang of something ( informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. 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. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for get the hang of. pulling the trigger, the flint striking, the gunpowder lighting, get the hang of - WordReference.com - 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. You get the hang of the thing. To get the hang of something | WordReference Forums But You'll get the hang of it - Idioms by The Free Dictionary you'll get the hang of it you'll get the hang of it You will soon become comfortable with or acquire a sense of how to do the thing in question. Some historians have since dismissed Nelsons famous quip as merely a battlefield myth, but the phrase turn a blind eye persists to this day. I was born December18,1963When would I graduate high school? Hang fire. "getting the hang of it" means getting used to performing a There's no claim to be certain that that was what it "originally" meant. Updated: August 23, 2018 | Original: April 23, 2013. 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. verb transitive Word forms: hung, hanging, hanged 1. to attach to something above with no support from below; suspend 2. to attach so as to permit free motion at the point of attachment to hang a door on its hinges 3. to put to death by tying a rope about the neck and suddenly suspending the body so as to snap the neck or cause strangulation 4. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of things when I put the Legend through an amp. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. 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 don't want to sound like a busybody, but, I find your lack of (something) disturbing, I hear what you're saying, and I hear you. For example. Get the hang of Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster A cigarette hung from her lips. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. get how this works. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. Thus, for mariners, by and large referred to trawling the seas in any and all directions relative to the wind. She pedals down the street with her father running behind steadying the bike. get the hang of - Wiktionary The Curious Origins of 16 Common Phrases | Mental Floss 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. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples A dependable person would, aptitude. The more familair you are with the banace of a tool or weapon, the more proficient. Notices painted on sheets hang at every entrance. Hang Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. Getting the hang of it (Words and phrases for getting used to things 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. suggest new. hang - Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary Hence, "Can you shoot I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. the precise manner of doing, using, etc., something; knack: to get the hang of a tool. I think Thorzdad and hungrysquirrels are close. hang something She hung her head in shame. 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 sensed that this one might be more slippery than some, that's all. 4. The game sounds really complicated when it's being explained out loud, but you'll get the hang of it once you start playing. aiim, because of the 'hang' of the gun. what is the origin of the ability. In these circumstances, a public official would read a small portion of the Riot Act and order the people to disperse themselves, and peaceably depart to their habitations. Anyone that remained after one hour was subject to arrest or removal by force. I know that English idioms can be hard, but Im sure youll get the hang of using them if you study hard! The phrase paint the town red most likely owes its origin to one legendary night of drunkenness. (orig. 10 Common Sayings With Historical Origins The dog's tongue was hanging out. In every business,in every industry, management does matter. Join 8,034 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. get the hang of something - Cambridge Dictionary get the hang of something ( informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. Hang by a thread. get the knack. I dont think Ill ever get the hang of this new computer software. 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. 10. How to use "get the hang of" in a sentence - WordHippo I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. colloq.) in the act by affording him greater leeway/opportunity (as in a Go Bananas. Get the hang of sth definition and meaning - Collins Dictionary What is another word for "get the hang of"? - WordHippo What is another word for hang of it - WordHippo Could it have to do with rigging? likewise, not let you down when you need him. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The myth dates back as far as the 14th century and comes from a book called The Travels of Sir John Mandeville. Wildly popular upon its release, the tome recounts a brave knights adventures during his supposed travels through Asia. Privacy Policy. 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. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? 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. Accessed 1 May. Get the hang of definition and meaning - Collins Dictionary To get the hang of it is to keep the land wheel running true. My grandmother tried to teach my mom how to knit, but she never got the hang of it. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'get the hang of.' 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. informal (understand) . Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Get a report of the VfL Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund 2022-23 German Bundesliga football match. 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. "getting the hang of it" means getting used to performing a specific task. I took her ice-skating for the first time, and she got the hang of it right away. smoothly. 12. when does coordination become the distinctive task of management why? 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." getting the hang. Apollo was usually depicted with a crown of laurel leaves, and the plant eventually became a symbol of status and achievement. All Rights Reserved. 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. In its earliest incarnation in the 1700s, the expression described condemned men who struggled the longest when they were executed by hanging. Philately is to Stamps as ____ is to Rocks. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. : Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. U.S. getting the hang. Delivered to your inbox! Learn a new word every day. You'll get the hang of it - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Contexts Acquiring complete knowledge or skill in Present participle for to be aware of the meaning of Verb Acquiring complete knowledge or skill in getting mastering learning grasping picking up acquiring comprehending understanding becoming competent in becoming expert in becoming proficient at At first, speaking Japanese was really hard for me, but I got the hang of it after a little while. thesaurus. and our 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. phrases. 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. 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. Informal. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. 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 learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple: 2. to learn how to do Which are the best resorts for conference venues in Jim Corbett? 1. verb If something hangs in a high place or position, or if you hang it there, it is attached there so it does not touch the ground. get the hang of [sth] v expr. 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. 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. She said she thought she was beginning to get the hang of it. hang Examples from the Corpus get the hang of something I increasingly got the hang of handling Berni. Among its many fabrications, the book includes a description of crocodiles that notes, These serpents sley men, and eate them weeping, and they have no tongue. While factually inaccurate, Mandevilles account of weeping reptiles later found its way into the works of Shakespeare, and crocodile tears became an idiom as early as the 16th century.