Meaning of hang fire | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To fail to fire immediately when the trigger is pulled.
2. To wait or hold back.
   figuratively

Examples

“[…] a number⟳ of Portuguese soldiers entered, one of whom, taking me for a Frenchman, for I had the French soldier's jacket on, my own⟳ being wet⟳, snapped his piece at me, which luckily hung fire.”

“We were told to hang⟳ fire on the decision until management came back with a proposal.”

““I’m just goin’ ter settle⟳ this little ——, that’s all,” said Dawes desperately. “What do you mean⟳?” snapped Thomas Jordan. “What I say⟳,” said Dawes, but he hung fire.”

“Kevin hung fire where he was, staring at Chaney's body with dilated eyes and a slowly greening complexion.”

CEFR level