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Hang fire

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An idiomatic phrase meaning to delay action or await further developments; originally firearms-related, it suggests strategic patience or hesitation in poetry, conveying temporal suspension and anticipatory tension.

Detailed Definition
Hang fire means to delay, hesitate, or remain unresolved, originally referring to a firearm that fails to discharge immediately. In poetry, the idiom is rich for suspended action: a confession is delayed, a decision postponed, anger held back, or change refuses to arrive. The phrase carries latent danger because what has not fired may still explode. It is useful in poems of tension, waiting, political uncertainty, or emotional repression. The pause is not peaceful; it is charged.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poem about indecision may let the question hang fire through three silent stanzas; In a military context, a cannon that hangs fire creates dreadful suspense; The phrase can mean delay before action; A poet might use hang fire to show desire waiting for courage.
Additional Notes
Hang fire means delay, hesitate, or fail to proceed immediately. The phrase comes from firearms, where ignition is delayed after the trigger is pulled. In poetry, it can create suspense between intention and action: a confession, shot, kiss, verdict, or decision does not arrive when expected. Students should notice the latent danger; even in delay, the phrase implies stored explosive potential.
Also Known As
delay
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