student asking question

What's the difference between "hold on", "hang on" and "Just a minute/second"? Are they always interchangeable?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

These expressions have similar meanings and are usually interchangeable in situations when you'd like to tell someone to wait a moment. "Hold on" and "hang on" also have additional definitions, however, as they are used to also mean "stop" or "wait," and also as encouragement to persevere or endure in difficult situations. In this video, "hold on" is closer to the last definition, meaning for Bill to endure or persevere until he can get help. Ex: Just a moment, I will help you as quickly as I can. Ex: Hold on, you're driving too fast! Ex: Hang on for just a little while longer, the exam season will be over soon! Then you can finally have a break.

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