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