CLING Meaning and
Definition
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The word "cling" is a verb that refers to the act of holding onto someone or something tightly, typically out of fear, love, or reliance. It denotes a strong attachment or dependence on someone or something. When one clings to an object or person, they grip or grasp firmly and refuse to let go. The concept of clinging implies a sense of desperation or a need for security.
In a physical sense, to cling often involves adhering tightly to a surface or object by means of friction. For instance, a wet shirt may cling to the body, or a wilting leaf may cling to a branch. Similarly, figuratively, one may cling to an idea, belief, or memory, unwilling to release it from their mind or consciousness.
Additionally, "cling" can also indicate a persistent or tenacious behavior in relationships. It suggests a strong emotional connection and a reluctance to separate or move away from a person. This type of clinging may be viewed positively, such as in a loving or supportive relationship, but it can also be seen as a sign of neediness or codependency.
Overall, "cling" encompasses both physical and emotional aspects, embodying the notion of attachment, dependence, and the reluctance to let go or detach.
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To adhere closely; to stick to firmly, as an interest; to hold fast to by entwining or embracing, as in affection.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for CLING *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CLING
Etymology of CLING
The word "cling" originated from the Old English word "clengan", which meant "to adhere closely or stick together". It is related to the Middle Dutch word "klinghen" and the Old Norse word "klangr", both of which also meant "to adhere" or "to clasp". The Proto-Germanic root of this word is believed to be "klang-". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, giving us the word "cling" as it is known today.
Idioms with the word CLING
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cling to sm or sth
The idiom "cling to someone or something" means to hold on tightly or persistently to someone or something. It denotes a strong emotional attachment or dependence on someone or something. It can also imply an unwillingness to let go or a reluctance to move on from a situation or relationship.
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cling to (someone or something)
The idiom "cling to (someone or something)" means to hold onto or grasp tightly to someone or something, usually in a physical sense. It can also be used figuratively to describe an emotional or psychological attachment to someone or something, where one relies heavily on them for support or security.
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cling on by (one's) fingernails
The idiom "cling on by (one's) fingernails" refers to a situation where someone is desperately holding on or barely managing to survive or succeed, often implying a sense of imminent failure or defeat. It conveys the idea of an individual persisting in a precarious position or situation by exerting maximum effort and determination.
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cling on on by your fingertips
The idiom "cling on by your fingertips" means to barely maintain a grasp or hold on something, usually in a precarious or desperate situation. It suggests a person's extreme effort to avoid losing their position, control, or stability, often implying that they are barely hanging on or barely managing to survive.
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cling on/hang on by your fingertips
The idiom "cling on/hang on by your fingertips" means to barely hold on or barely manage to survive in a difficult or precarious situation, often with the imminent danger of falling or failing. It implies that the person is exerting extreme effort or making desperate attempts to maintain their position or continue existing.
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cling on on by fingernails
The idiom "cling on by fingernails" means to hold on to something desperately and precariously, often in a difficult or challenging situation, using every available effort or resource to stay afloat or survive. It implies a struggle to maintain a grasp or grip on something against all odds.
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cling on/hang on by your fingernails
The idiom "cling on/hang on by your fingernails" means to barely hold on to a situation or position, often under difficult circumstances. It suggests that one's grip is tenuous or fragile, and any further strain may result in losing control or failing completely.
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cling together
The idiom "cling together" means to stay close to and support each other during challenging or difficult times. It refers to a situation where a group of people unite and remain connected, either physically or emotionally, for mutual comfort or strength.
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cling like shit to a shovel
The idiom "cling like shit to a shovel" is an informal expression that represents something or someone sticking or holding onto someone or something persistently, tenaciously, or excessively. It typically describes a situation where there is an undesirable or unwelcome attachment or association, emphasizing the difficulty of separating or getting rid of it. The idiom stems from the idea of feces (shit) adhering stubbornly to a shovel and being hard to remove.
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cling on by (one's) fingertips
The idiom "cling on by (one's) fingertips" means to barely hold on or maintain a precarious position, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. It implies a state of being in extreme difficulty or danger, gripping onto something very tightly as a last resort to avoid falling or failing.
Similar spelling words for CLING
- clanging,
- clinic,
- Clung,
- clinger,
- Gluing,
- clink,
- clonus,
- coiling,
- clanking,
- clang,
- cuing,
- clings,
- clangula,
- cloying,
- clench,
- Clancey,
- clunky,
- sling,
- clan,
- Clancy,
- clines,
- clangour,
- clunch,
- clinking,
- clanger,
- clonic,
- clingman,
- clinker,
- cooling,
- fling,
- curling,
- clingan,
- clunk,
- calling,
- Clance,
- cling to,
- clank,
- clangor,
- clinch.
Conjugate verb Cling
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have clung
you
would have clung
he/she/it
would have clung
we
would have clung
they
would have clung
I
would have cling
you
would have cling
he/she/it
would have cling
we
would have cling
they
would have cling
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been clinging
you
would have been clinging
he/she/it
would have been clinging
we
would have been clinging
they
would have been clinging
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would cling
you
would cling
he/she/it
would cling
we
would cling
they
would cling
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be clinging
you
would be clinging
he/she/it
would be clinging
we
would be clinging
they
would be clinging
FUTURE
I
will cling
you
will cling
he/she/it
will cling
we
will cling
they
will cling
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be clinging
you
will be clinging
he/she/it
will be clinging
we
will be clinging
they
will be clinging
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have clung
you
will have clung
he/she/it
will have clung
we
will have clung
they
will have clung
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been clinging
you
will have been clinging
he/she/it
will have been clinging
we
will have been clinging
they
will have been clinging
IMPERATIVE
you
cling
we
let´s cling
to cling
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was clinging
you
were clinging
he/she/it
was clinging
we
were clinging
they
were clinging
PAST PARTICIPLE
clung
PAST PERFECT
I
had clung
you
had clung
he/she/it
had clung
we
had clung
they
had clung
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been clinging
you
had been clinging
he/she/it
had been clinging
we
had been clinging
they
had been clinging
PRESENT
I
cling
you
cling
he/she/it
clings
we
cling
they
cling
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am clinging
you
are clinging
he/she/it
is clinging
we
are clinging
they
are clinging
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
clinging
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have clung
you
have clung
he/she/it
has clung
we
have clung
they
have clung
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been clinging
you
have been clinging
he/she/it
has been clinging
we
have been clinging
they
have been clinging
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
cling
SIMPLE PAST
I
clung
you
clung
he/she/it
clung
we
clung
they
clung
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