We can't use the simple present tense with this expression. What is the origin of the phrase "getting the hang" of something? get the hang of [sth] v expr. Don't worry, in a few days you'll get the hang of it. get the hang of something ( informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. hang Examples from the Corpus get the hang of something I increasingly got the hang of handling Berni. 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. The more we practice what we learn, the more we get the hang of it. 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. it?" smoothly. While ostensibly a reward, the creatures were tremendously expensive to feed and house, and caring for one often drove the recipient into financial ruin. getting used. Please note, I'm not sure at all about this, so I'd like to know if anyone else has heard this. 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. Accessed 1 May. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/get+the+hang+of+it. The humanitarian thing was to let the person's neck break; this caused a quick death. 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 ( informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of things when I put the Legend through an amp. Learn a new word every day. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! In Hellenic times, laurel leaves were closely tied to Apollo, the god of music, prophecy and poetry. 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. Cookie Notice I never got the hang of playing video games so I hate them. 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. Many everyday phrases are nautical in origin taken aback, loose cannon and high and dry all originated at seabut perhaps the most surprising example is the common saying by and large. As far back as the 16th century, the word large was used to mean that a ship was sailing with the wind at its back. In its earliest incarnation in the 1700s, the expression described condemned men who struggled the longest when they were executed by hanging. aptitude. You want Get the hang of. Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/get%20the%20hang%20of. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple: 2. to learn how to do I believe it refers to the process of "hanging" or putting a handle on an axe. A cigarette hung from her lips. The phrase paint the town red most likely owes its origin to one legendary night of drunkenness. to get to understand, manage, master, deal with as an adept; to acquire the knack of. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. Meanwhile, the much less desirable by, or full and by, meant the vessel was traveling into the wind. 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. Therefore, we often say "She never got the hang of it." or "I'll never get the hang of it.". For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. If you're doing it right you would have "gotten the hang of it". Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. 2023. 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. Windzepher/iStock. YourDictionary Like "learning the ropes"? [informal] It's a bit tricky at first till you get the hang of it. 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. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. 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. The Sun (2010) And incredibly, it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. noun the way in which a thing hangs. Hence, "Can you shoot During 1801s Battle of Copenhagen, Nelsons ships were pitted against a large Danish-Norwegian fleet. 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. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. "Not yet, but soon I'll get the hang of it.". Notices painted on sheets hang at every entrance. 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). I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. I haven't played it in a week, I was just getting the . Go Bananas. Pretty sure it refers to hanging something (like a framed photo or painting) up so that it is straight. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. What is another word for getting the hang of? A dependable person would, U.S. Change). My grandmother tried to teach my mom how to knit, but she never got the hang of it. specific task. For example. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. Delivered to your inbox! Philately is to Stamps as ____ is to Rocks. colloq.) Venerable Greeks and Romans, or laureates, were thus able to rest on their laurels by basking in the glory of past achievements. Running amok is commonly used to describe wild or erratic behavior, but the phrase actually began its life as a medical term. synonyms. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. something: I haven't got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. All Rights Reserved. Some historians have since dismissed Nelsons famous quip as merely a battlefield myth, but the phrase turn a blind eye persists to this day. pendulum, pendant and pendulous. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Languagehat: it was the finality of your tone that made me say "wait a second", that's all, because I thought the subject sounded too-firmly closed there. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! 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. Also, if we use it in the negative,its very common touse the word never. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! 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. to be suspended; dangle. 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. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. To save this word, you'll need to log in. expertise. thesaurus. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. Learn the proper way of doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something. 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. Get a report of the VfL Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund 2022-23 German Bundesliga football match. 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. (LogOut/ 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. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. The dog's tongue was hanging out. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. That's my guess, anyway. I think Thorzdad and hungrysquirrels are close. get the hang of something1. 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. To get the hang of it is to keep the land wheel running true. See also: get, hang, of : You may have to direct them to leave space for the names, but they will get the hang of it after a while and they can then finish them up for you. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This is not for the squeamish. something: I haven't got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. I was born December18,1963When would I graduate high school? When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. what is the origin of the 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. Every time I get the hang of an idea it suddenly turns into something different and I turn into a fool! https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/I+am+getting+the+hang+of+it. antonyms. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Example Sentences 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. 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. In every business,in every industry, management does matter. There's a moment when she "gets the hang of it" and can ride on her own. 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. 11. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for get the hang of. 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. Get the hang of. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20the%20hang%20of. hanged), the surest way is to let him betray himself or be caught For more information, please see our She said she thought she was beginning to get the hang of it. The game sounds really complicated when it's being explained out loud, but you'll get the hang of it once you start playing. 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. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! There's no claim to be certain that that was what it "originally" meant. 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. The "public executions by hanging" derivation is ridiculous. Now, imagine, say, an animal running obliquely to you. when does coordination become the distinctive task of management why? 2023. getting the hang. 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. She pedals down the street with her father running behind steadying the bike. Thus, for mariners, by and large referred to trawling the seas in any and all directions relative to the wind. Updated: August 23, 2018 | Original: April 23, 2013. She's getting the hang of driving. it means that to catch a criminal (and presumably have him To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. the precise manner of doing, using, etc., something; knack: to get the hang of a tool. See also: get, hang, of, something Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary Farlex 2017 See also: Several idioms exist in this area. Hang in the balance. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. definitions. Apollo was usually depicted with a crown of laurel leaves, and the plant eventually became a symbol of status and achievement. 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. skill. 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. [VERB preposition/adverb] A light-bulb hanging from the ceiling filled the room with a cold yellow light. See also: get, hang, of 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. get the feel. Privacy Policy. 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. It lovebug? 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. The idiom for this week is to get the hang of something. Instituted in 1715, the Riot Act gave the British government the authority to label any group of more than 12 people a threat to the peace. I like to think it comes from the skill of being able to "hang-10" on a surfboard. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. If you're learning how to drive a stick shift, for example. In the midst of the fight, a wounded British officer named William Inglis supposedly urged his unit forward by bellowing Stand your ground and die hard make the enemy pay dear for each of us! Inglis 57th Regiment suffered 75 percent casualties during the battle, and went on to earn the nickname the Die Hards.. But in 18th-century England, the Riot Act was a very real document, and it was often recited aloud to angry mobs. When you get the hang (the proper spot along the wire or hook to seat it), it looks right and is balanced. 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. Buy our lists of British English, American English and Animal idioms in PDF format. 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 . 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. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. 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. 12. The expression go bananas is slang, and the origin is a bit harder to pin down. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? They're perfect to use offline for reference or for use in class! 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. 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." got a knack. catch that. informal (understand) . means "From". get the hang of doing [sth] v expr. To get the hang of something means to become familiar with it. Hey, Im think Im actually getting the hang of this new video game! hang something She hung her head in shame. example. Tm hiu thm. to shoot it. : Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. The phrase later became even more popular after 1811s Battle of Albuera during the Napoleonic Wars. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news. I think that came later. 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. It remains a diagnosable mental condition to this day. 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. Hang your hat on (something) Idiom eBooks from UsingEnglish.com. 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. 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. One moose, two moose. I just scored 10,000 points! I dont think Ill ever get the hang of this new computer software. We strive for accuracy and fairness. and finally the bullet shooting from the chamber. To save this word, you'll need to log in. It became popular in the 1950s, around the same time as go ape, so there may have . 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. 10. informal (learn to do) . However, for a better show, if the neck didn't break, the . Some convey the idea of getting used to a new situation or getting used to your role in that new situation. Also, if we use it in the negative, it's very common to use the word "never". { idioms }. getting the hang. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. What did it mean, originally, to "get the hang" of something? I sensed that this one might be more slippery than some, that's all. 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. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. There was a time-delay between Times, Sunday Times (2006) But All posts copyright their original authors. 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. 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. If your or someone else's bright idea doesn't start from that, it's wrong. 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. 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. knack. I know that English idioms can be hard, but Im sure youll get the hang of using them if you study hard! For example. got carried away. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. sentences. Learn the proper way of doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something. Its so confusing! It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. (orig. ing. These days, angry parents might threaten to read the riot act to their unruly children. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. It can get tough, but you will get the hang of it. Before clothes drying machines were invented, wet clothes were This expression is used when we want to talk about becoming skillful at something after starting to do it for the first time. 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.. 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. For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. get the hang. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'get the hang of.' : 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. 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. 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. De- comes from Latin, too. 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. At first you drive all jerky and the car stalls a lot. [VERB preposition/adverb] get into the swing of it. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. 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. likewise, not let you down when you need him. An experienced executioner who had mastered the difference and could do either was said to have "gotten the hang of it.". 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. Join 8,034 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. to swing freely, as on a hinge. 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 The idea of resting on your laurels dates back to leaders and athletic stars of ancient Greece. See also: get, hang, of, something Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary Farlex 2017 See also: talent. to get the hang of: to become familiar with the proper wielding or use of a tool; fig. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. 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. Get a new gun, the hang time may differ. Hang by a thread. T Tabac Senior Member what is the origin of the lovebug? be used to it. get how this works. Delivered to your inbox! 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. One theory argues the phrase relates to the various degrees of murder in the criminal code; yet another credits it to Thomas F. Byrnes, a 19th-century New York City policeman who used the pun Third Degree Byrnes when describing his hardnosed questioning style. Which are the best resorts for conference venues in Jim Corbett? Lists. 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.
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