hung up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hung up" is a grammatically correct phrase that is frequently used in written English.
It typically means to focus too much on something and be unable or unwilling to move past it. For example: "John was so hung up on the small mistake he made he couldn't continue the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He just hung up".

The New Yorker

She hung up again.

The New Yorker

And hung up.

The New Yorker

I then hung up".

Independent

He hung up.

The New York Times - Magazine

The man hung up.

The New Yorker

Jones hung up.

The New Yorker

I hung up, relieved.

The New York Times

I hung up.

The New York Times

My mother hung up.

The New Yorker

Walko hung up the phone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hung up" to describe someone's emotional state, ensure the context clearly indicates what they are fixated on. For example, "He was still hung up on his ex-girlfriend."

Common error

Avoid using "hung up" interchangeably with phrasal verbs like "hooked up" (meaning to connect or engage) or "held up" (meaning delayed). Each has distinct meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hung up" functions primarily as a verb indicating the action of ending a phone call or, metaphorically, describing a state of emotional fixation. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "hung up" is a common expression with two main meanings: to end a phone call abruptly and to be emotionally fixated on something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "hung up" serves to describe actions and emotional states with a neutral register. To avoid confusion, be mindful of the context and ensure the intended meaning is clear. Consider alternatives like ""ended the call"" or "was fixated on" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ended the call

This alternative focuses on the action of terminating a phone call, similar to one meaning of "hung up".

terminated the call

This alternative provides a more formal way of expressing the action of ending a phone call.

finished the call

This alternative focuses on the completion of the telephone call.

abruptly disconnected

This alternative captures the suddenness of ending a call, similar to one way "hung up" is used.

was fixated on

This alternative focuses on the state of being unable to move on from something, capturing a different meaning of "hung up".

obsessed with

This alternative emphasizes the strong preoccupation with something, similar to being "hung up" on it.

preoccupied with

This alternative focuses on the mental state of being absorbed in something, relating to the emotional aspect of "hung up".

couldn't let go of

This alternative highlights the inability to release something, mirroring the emotional meaning of "hung up".

dwelling on

This alternative indicates spending excessive time thinking about something, capturing the mental aspect of being "hung up".

stuck on

This alternative conveys the sense of being unable to move past an issue or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "hung up" in a sentence?

You can use "hung up" to describe ending a phone call abruptly, as in "He got angry and "ended the call"". You can also use it to describe someone being emotionally fixated on something, as in "She's still "obsessed with" what happened last year".

What's the difference between "hung up" and "hooked up"?

"Hung up" can mean to end a phone call or to be emotionally fixated, while "hooked up" generally means to connect something or to have a casual romantic encounter. They have very different meanings.

Which is correct: "hung up on" or "hung up about"?

Both "hung up on" and "hung up about" are used, but "hung up on" is more common, especially when referring to a person or thing someone is fixated on. "Hung up about" is generally used to refer to a situation or event.

What can I say instead of "being hung up" on something?

You can use alternatives like "being fixated on", "being obsessed with", or "being preoccupied with" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.