The phrasal verb "hang up" is primarily used informally in daily conversations, though it can also appear in formal contexts, typically in descriptions of telecommunication actions. It commonly refers to ending a phone call by placing the receiver back on the hook or pressing a button. In broader usage, it can also mean discontinuing an activity, particularly when someone "hangs up" their coat, which signals the end of an engagement or career in contexts such as "He hung up his boots." The verb can sometimes indicate irritation or abruptness if the call is ended suddenly, as in "She hung up on him," implying displeasure or conflict. Despite its roots in older telephone technology, "hang up" remains prevalent today, although it's more metaphorical with modern devices like cell phones that rarely utilize physical 'hooks.'
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To end a phone call by terminating the connection.
She got angry and hung up the phone.
After hearing the message, he decided to hang up without responding.
2. To place clothing or an object on a hook or hanger.