to get to understand, manage, master, deal with as an adept; to acquire the knack of. U.S. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! 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. 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. to get the hang of: to become familiar with the proper wielding or use of a tool; fig. 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. You want (orig. noun the way in which a thing hangs. 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. getting the hang. 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. To get the hang of something means to become familiar with it. 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 . One moose, two moose. example. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. Thus, for mariners, by and large referred to trawling the seas in any and all directions relative to the wind. It can get tough, but you will get the hang of it. 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. To get the hang of it is to keep the land wheel running true. This expression is used when we want to talk about becoming skillful at something after starting to do it for the first time. Hang in the balance. figured it. I think Thorzdad and hungrysquirrels are close. 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. informal (understand) . 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. Now, imagine, say, an animal running obliquely to you. Learn the proper way of doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something. What is another word for getting the hang of? Maybe I misread. To save this word, you'll need to log in. One moose, two moose. The "public executions by hanging" derivation is ridiculous. thesaurus. An acquired or natural skill at doing something. : Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. At first, speaking Japanese was really hard for me, but I got the hang of it after a little while. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. 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. I'm not sure, but I was told it originated with a far less pleasant topic. 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. For example: I know chess can be hard, but Im sure youll get the hang of it eventually. the precise manner of doing, using, etc., something; knack: to get the hang of a tool. definitions. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. get the hang of doing [sth] v expr. De- comes from Latin, too. All Rights Reserved. Informal. something: I haven't got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. slacking rope), Continue Learning about English Language Arts. 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 (LogOut/ However, if we use the present continuous, we don't use the word "never". At first the movie made no sense to me, but after a while I got the hang of it. On a scientific/technical note - most people who die from hanging don't die from either a broken neck or strangulation. getting the hang. This is not for the squeamish. 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 into the swing of 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. But, you had to mentally calculate how far in front to lovebug? I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. We cant use the simple present tense with this expression. 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. pulling the trigger, the flint striking, the gunpowder lighting, it means that to catch a criminal (and presumably have him Learn a new word every day. If you're learning how to drive a stick shift, for Hey, Im think Im actually getting the hang of this new video game! Join 8,034 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. 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. In every business,in every industry, management does matter. 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. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. 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.. Don't worry, in a few days you'll get the hang of it. I believe it refers to the process of "hanging" or putting a handle on an axe. Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. something: I haven't 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. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. I havent got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. colloq.) Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. becomes accustomed. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of things when I put the Legend through an amp. 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. 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. For more information, please see our But 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. : 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. get the hang of [sth] v expr. 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.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). to swing freely, as on a hinge. 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 more we practice what we learn, the more we get the hang of it. If you have a question about idioms, ask us about it in our Idioms Discussion Forum. Russia threatned to place Nuclear weapons in Cuba, and America was very afraid because we are very close to Cuba. 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. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. 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. 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. pendulum, pendant and pendulous. I think that came later. get the hang of something ( informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. 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. 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. 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. in the act by affording him greater leeway/opportunity (as in a I just scored 10,000 points! An example of get the hang of is a beginning knitter who has just created her first scarf without dropping a stitch. You get the hang of the thing. 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 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. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for get the hang of. hang Examples from the Corpus get the hang of something I increasingly got the hang of handling Berni. The dog's tongue was hanging out. 18 other terms for got the hang of it- words and phrases with similar meaning. I'd guess that often when you're done with something you hang it up, so perhaps it can be derived as completion (being done) of something such as learning a skill. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! Also, if we use it in the negative,its very common touse the word never. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. See also: get, hang, of Venerable Greeks and Romans, or laureates, were thus able to rest on their laurels by basking in the glory of past achievements. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. Lists. However, for a better show, if the neck didn't break, the . Notices painted on sheets hang at every entrance. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. Some convey the idea of getting used to a new situation or getting used to your role in that new situation. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. I sensed that this one might be more slippery than some, that's all. 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. [intransitive, transitive] to bend or let something bend downwards hang adv./prep. What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news. While ostensibly a reward, the creatures were tremendously expensive to feed and house, and caring for one often drove the recipient into financial ruin. get the hang. and finally the bullet shooting from the chamber. 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 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. Every time I get the hang of an idea it suddenly turns into something different and I turn into a fool! If you're doing it right you would have "gotten the hang of it". Philately is to Stamps as ____ is to Rocks. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. DePendAble means you are Able to Hang From something hanged), the surest way is to let him betray himself or be caught In its earliest incarnation in the 1700s, the expression described condemned men who struggled the longest when they were executed by hanging. Get a report of the VfL Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund 2022-23 German Bundesliga football match. phrases. Need synonyms for hang of it similar words thesaurus that you can use instead. 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). ing. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. 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. suggest new. Find out more about the unusual origin stories behind 10 everyday phrases. 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. 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 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. To top it all off, the mob literally painted a tollgate, the doors of several homes and a swan statue with red paint. 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. YourDictionary Delivered to your inbox! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. It remains a diagnosable mental condition to this day. It Therefore, we often say "She never got the hang of it." or "I'll never get the hang of it.". skill. It's quite parallel to "get the feel of.". 12. Go Bananas. That's my guess, anyway. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. Change). People, read the OED entry quoted above: it originally meant "to become familiar with the proper wielding or use of a tool." I was born December18,1963When would I graduate high school? Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. I dont think Ill ever get the hang of this new computer software. 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. The more familair you are with the banace of a tool or weapon, the more proficient. what is the origin of the lovebug? Tm hiu thm. Extra Examples kill somebody ( hanged, hanged) Buy our lists of British English, American English and Animal idioms in PDF format. ability. : Public executions by hanging were quite a spectacle in the good old days. We can't use the simple present tense with this expression. Times, Sunday Times (2006) 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. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. 2023. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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.. Windzepher/iStock. without risk of it letting you down. There was a time-delay between I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. To save this word, you'll need to log in. get the feel. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Comes from the use of a musket. To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. got a knack. 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. It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs. to be suspended; dangle. She's getting the hang of driving. Apollo was usually depicted with a crown of laurel leaves, and the plant eventually became a symbol of status and achievement.