hung on every word

Definitions

• pay close attention
  To listen very attentively to every word someone says, showing a high level of interest and focus on their speech

• rely heavily on someone's words
  To trust someone's words completely and believe everything they say without doubt

Examples of hung on every word

• The sales assistant's persuasive pitch hung on every word as the potential customer's eyes widened with every benefit she mentioned.

  In this example, "hung on every word" is used in the context of active listening. The potential customer was so interested and invested in the sales pitch that she listened intently to every word the sales assistant said, showing explicit interest in the benefits being described.

• The guest speaker's captivating story was hung on every word by the audience, hanging onto her every move and gesture to further illustrate the narrative.

  In this instance, "hung on every word" signifies the rapt attention, fascination and fixation of the audience towards the speaker. They were completely engrossed in the speaker's words, eagerly following her story with a captivated audience, hanging onto her each and every word.

• The TV host's insightful interview styles hung on every word in the audience, who were utterly engaged with the flow of the conversation, mimicking the TV host's tone and behavior.

  In this instance, "hung on every word" represents an engaged audience, how the TV host's style of presentation seems to inspire participation from the audience. The audience's responses were akin to following their lead, hanging onto every word in order to keep with the conversation's flow.

• The artist's powerful performance left the audience hanging on every word, as the notes and lyrics wove into a powerful tapestry.

  In this final instance, "hung on every word" reflects the audience's reverent listening and total immersion in the artist's performance. Every note and lyric meant something, and the audience were hanging onto each one intently, listening with fervor and palpable excitement.

• The speaker's captivating presentation left the audience hanging on every word.

  The phrase "hung on every word" means that the listeners were completely engrossed in what the speaker was saying, waiting eagerly for each new word or phrase. In this example, the speaker's presentation was so compelling that the audience couldn't wait to hear what would come next, hanging onto every word as if it were of the utmost importance.

• As the lawyer read out the verdict, the defendant's family hung on every word, their hearts sinking with each passing sentence.

  In this example, "hung on every word" is used to describe the emotional state of the defendant's family as they listened to the lawyer's reading of the verdict. The sense of suspense and uncertainty as the verdict was being read was heightened by the fact that they were hanging on every word, their emotions intimately connected to each new piece of information.

• The teacher's lesson captivated the students, and they hung on every word, eager to learn and understand.

  This example shows how "hung on every word" can be used to describe a situation in which the listeners are genuinely interested in what is being said, and are eager to learn and understand as much as possible. In this case, the teacher's lesson was so engaging that the students were hanging on every word, anxious to absorb all the information they could.

• During the concert, the crowd hung on every word of the lead singer, their cheers and applause ringing out as soon as a particularly moving phrase was uttered.

  This example illustrates the power of music and the way it can captivate and engage an audience. In this case, the lead singer's vocals were so mesmerizing that the crowd hung on every word, their reactions a testament to the emotional impact of the music.

Conclusion

The idiom "hung on every word" is used to describe someone who listens attentively and with great interest to what someone else is saying, often relying heavily on their words. It indicates a high level of attention and trust in the speaker's words. This idiom is commonly used in both casual conversations and formal settings to emphasize someone's focus and reliance on the information being shared.

Origin of "hung on every word"

The origin of the idiom "hung on every word" can be traced back to the idea of someone hanging on to something, not wanting to let go. In this case, it refers to hanging on to every word spoken by someone else, showing a strong desire to absorb and understand the information being communicated. The imagery of hanging on to words emphasizes the importance and impact of what is being said, highlighting the listener's unwavering attention and reliance on the speaker's words. This idiom has become a popular way to convey a high level of attentiveness and trust in communication.