hang fire
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Writing in The Guardian, he said that crises “don’t take holidays, and don’t politely hang fire – certainly not to suit the convenience of a departing PM and the whims of two potential successors.”
From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2022
Would Ly not have done better to let “Les Misérables” hang fire at dusk, the evening before?
From The New Yorker • Jan. 3, 2020
Why didn’t she stop after the first line, leaving it to hang fire?
From The New Yorker • May 11, 2015
The moments that can sometimes hang fire – most notably the altercation between Ivan and Kaschey and the build up to the Infernal Dance – were full of terrific tension and drama.
From The Guardian • Feb. 24, 2013
Figuratively, to hang fire, is to hesitate or flinch.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
