hang-up

UK: /ˈhæŋʌp/ US: (hang′up′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈhang-ˌup or ˈhangˌup, n. [countable] [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms something that a person worries about constantly or fears greatly:
   had a hang-up about meeting new people.
2. Slang Terms problem;
   difficulty:
   There's some hang-up about our plane reservation.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hang-up  (hang′up′), n. [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms a preoccupation, fixation, or psychological block;
   complex:
   His hang-up is trying to outdo his brother.
2. Slang Terms a source of annoying difficulty or burden;
   impediment;
   snag:
   The most serious hang-up the project has is a shortage of funds.
3. Slang Terms a fixture, object, or decoration that can be affixed to a wall, ceiling, other objects, etc.:
   He brightened up the room with flower baskets and other hang-ups.

Also, hang′up′. 

• noun, nominal use of verb, verbal phrase hang up 1955–60