hang on a second

USAGE SUMMARY

"hang on a second" is correct and usable in written English and in spoken English.
You can use this phrase to ask someone to wait for a short time while you do something else. For example, you could say: "Hang on a second, I just need to finish sending this email."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It took him about two minutes to sketch the snake out then I laid down and he did one line, another line and then another line and I said: "Hang on a second, I don't want it anymore.

Vice

Hang on a second.

Independent

But hang on a second.

The New York Times

"Hang on a second," the guard said.

The New Yorker

HANNITY: Hang on a second.

The New Yorker

Hang on a second: watermelon radish ice cream?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

How, for example, do you judge the commercial prospects of a boyband as terrifying as Mommie Dearest (think Sacha Baron Cohen's Brüno fronting the Klaxons) when an equally absurd proposition such as Jedward have just made a third album that sounds like … hang on, a third album?

The Guardian - Music

But hang on just a second.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What we're saying is, 'Hang on for a second, maybe it does.' " Without the nudge of having to attend classes, the authors suggested, it can be easy to let recorded lectures pile up unwatched.

The New York Times

Carroll lashed home from inside the area less than 10 minutes after entering the fray and Liverpool pressed in the closing stages, only for Chelsea to hang on for a fourth FA Cup final triumph in the last six seasons.

BBC

I was happy to hang on for second".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hang on a second" to politely interrupt or request a brief pause in a conversation or activity. It's suitable for informal settings and conveys a sense of urgency or immediate need for a short delay.

Common error

Avoid using "hang on a second" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "one moment, please" or "please allow me a moment".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hang on a second" is as an interjection or exclamation used to request a brief pause or interruption. It functions as a polite way to ask someone to wait momentarily while the speaker attends to something else. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Hang on a second" is a common and versatile phrase used to request a brief pause. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While it is generally acceptable in most casual conversations, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives, such as "one moment, please", in professional settings. Its function is to politely interrupt or request a momentary delay, while its alternatives include "wait a moment" and "just a minute". As such, understanding its appropriate usage helps ensure clear communication in diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a moment

This alternative provides a slightly more formal and direct way to ask someone to wait.

hold on a moment

This phrase is very similar in meaning and usage, offering a slight variation in wording.

just a minute

This is a common and slightly more casual way to ask someone to wait briefly.

bear with me a second

This suggests patience, implying a slight inconvenience for the listener.

give me a second

This phrase directly requests a short amount of time from the listener.

hold the line

Typically used during phone conversations to ask the other person to wait.

wait a sec

A shortened and more informal version of "wait a second".

let me check

This phrase indicates that the speaker needs a moment to verify or confirm something.

one moment, please

A polite and formal way of asking someone to wait.

please hold

A very polite and somewhat formal way to ask someone to wait, often used in customer service contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "hang on a second" in a sentence?

You can use "hang on a second" to politely ask someone to wait briefly, as in "Hang on a second, I need to grab my keys" or "Hang on a second, let me think about that".

What's a more formal alternative to "hang on a second"?

If you need a more formal phrase, consider using "one moment, please" or "please wait a moment". These are better suited for professional or formal situations.

Is it okay to use "hang on a sec" instead of "hang on a second"?

Yes, "hang on a sec" is an acceptable, more informal alternative to "hang on a second". It's suitable for casual conversations.

What's the difference between "hang on a second" and "hold on a second"?

The phrases "hang on a second" and "hold on a second" are virtually interchangeable and have the same meaning. Both are used to ask someone to wait briefly.