Hung up and persona non grata

Posted by Bob on December 14, 2004

In Reply to: Hung up and persona non grata posted by Gary on December 14, 2004

: : What is to be hung up on something? Obsessed with? Worried about? Does it have the additional meaning of feeling guilty of?

: : Thanks

: : JC

: : PS. English is not my first language, but I am not learning it either. This forum is primarily intended for those who speak E. as first language. Does it mean that people like me are about to become personae non gratae here?

: No, I would hope not. The occasional query about phrases that many native English speakers would already know is fine.

: We were recently in danger of becoming seen by people who knew very little English as a means of teaching themselves the language or of translating whatever book they were reading virtually line bt line. That, and other postings that were off-topic were spoiling the fun so I made the rules of engagement, which had previously been implicit, explicit.

The problem with the phrase "hung up on" is that, as you have observed, it can mean all three. Obsessed, or mildly obsessed, or preoccupied. Worried about. And feeling guilty in a way that inhibits action.

It's a vague term, meant to be heard in context to make sense of it. Careful writers should avoid it, using more precise language.

• Hung up ESC 14/December/04
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      • Etruscan Jose Carlos 15/December/04
        • Gratia tibi, JC Smokey Stover 15/December/04
          • Gratia tibi, JC Jose Carlos 15/December/04
        • L word links Bruce Kahl 15/December/04
          • Hung up on. Smokey Stover 16/December/04