The spelling of the phrase "hang upon" might seem confusing at first, but using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help clarify it. The first word, "hang," is pronounced with a back vowel sound /hæŋ/ that is followed by the consonant cluster /pʌn/ in "upon." The final sound of "upon" is a nasalized vowel represented by /ɔ̃/. This pronunciation is transcribed as /hæŋ əˈpɑ̃/ in IPA. Despite its tricky spelling, "hang upon" is a common phrase used to mean "depend on" or "await."
Hang upon is a phrasal verb that can be used in two different ways, depending on the context.
Firstly, hang upon can mean to depend or rely on something or someone. In this sense, it refers to the act of placing trust or confidence in a particular person, thing, or event. For example, one might say, "Her life and happiness hang upon her success in this audition," indicating that her future is reliant on her performance. Alternatively, someone could say, "Our plans for the weekend hang upon the weather forecast," meaning that their activities are dependent on the predicted weather conditions.
Secondly, hang upon can also mean to dwell or linger in one's thoughts or mind. This usage suggests that something is occupying a person's attention, preoccupying their mind, or remaining unresolved. For instance, one might say, "The question of her true intentions hangs upon my mind," indicating that the uncertainty surrounding her motives continues to trouble them. Similarly, someone could say, "The meeting's outcome hung upon my thoughts throughout the day," signifying that the results of the meeting were persistently on their mind.
Overall, hang upon refers to relying on something or someone or having something dwell in one's thoughts. Its usage can bring about a sense of dependency, preoccupation, or lingering uncertainty.
The phrase "hang upon" is a combination of two separate words: "hang" and "upon". Here is the etymology of each word:
1. Hang: The word "hang" can be traced back to the Old English word "hangian", which has Germanic origins. This word eventually evolved into Middle English as "hangen". The concept of "hang" refers to the act of suspending or fastening something from above, allowing it to dangle or remain supported. Over time, it has developed various figurative meanings, including being dependent on or awaiting something.
2. Upon: The word "upon" comes from the Old English word "uppan", which also has Germanic roots. This term has remained relatively consistent throughout history in terms of its meaning, indicating a spatial or temporal relationship of being on, on top of, or close to something.