cling
cling — verb
1. to hold on very tightly to someone or something with your hands or arms, or to s
to hold on very tightly to someone or something with your hands or arms, or to stick firmly to a surface and resist being pulled off.
The wet shirt clung to Ravi's back after he ran home through the rain.
collocation: cling to + body part for physical sticking
The toddler clung to her father's hand as cars rushed past the crosswalk.
Ivy has clung to the old brick wall for decades without falling away.
The climber clung to the narrow ledge until the rescue team arrived.
The wet leaves clung to the soles of Tomás's boots after the storm.
文法句型
cling + to/onto + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with a preposition ('to', 'onto') that names the thing or person being held. The past form 'clung' is irregular — do not add '-ed'.
常見錯誤
2. to remain physically near someone or something, often staying close for comfort,
to remain physically near someone or something, often staying close for comfort, safety, or practical reasons.
The small fishing village clings to the edge of the narrow fjord.
figurative use: a village clinging to a geographic feature
During the thunderstorm the puppies clung close together under the porch.
The hikers clung to the left side of the trail where the slope was gentler.
A faint mist clung to the surface of the lake at dawn.
- stay close
more neutral and general; 'cling' suggests a tighter or more persistent closeness.
- hug
only for people; implies an embrace rather than positional proximity.
- drift away
to move slowly apart, the opposite of staying close.
- separate
to move apart from something or someone.
文法句型
cling + adverb/preposition (close, near, together)
用法筆記
Often describes objects or natural features positioned close to something (a village clinging to a hillside) rather than deliberate human action of holding.
常見錯誤
3. to refuse to give up a belief, idea, hope, or relationship, holding on to it bec
to refuse to give up a belief, idea, hope, or relationship, holding on to it because you need it emotionally.
After the earthquake, the survivors clung to the hope of finding loved ones alive.
collocation: cling to + hope/idea/belief
The elderly man still clings to the traditions he learned as a child.
Children who have been through trauma often cling to their parents for reassurance.
Many people cling to old photographs as a way of preserving memories.
Despite the bad reviews, the director clung to his belief that the film was important.
- hold on to
slightly less intense than 'cling'; can be both physical and emotional.
- adhere to
more formal; suggests following a principle or rule rather than emotional need.
- cleave to
formal or literary; suggests strong, faithful attachment.
文法句型
cling + to + abstract noun (hope, belief, idea, person)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/1 HOLD: sense 3 takes abstract objects (hope, belief, tradition) rather than physical ones. Distinguish from verb/2 STAY CLOSE: sense 3 is about emotional dependence or loyalty, not physical position.
常見錯誤
cling — noun
1. the act of holding tightly to something or someone, or the quality of sticking f
the act of holding tightly to something or someone, or the quality of sticking firmly to a surface.
The fabric's cling to the skin made it uncomfortable on hot days.
collocation: cling of + material to + body part
The child's desperate cling to his mother's hand showed his fear.
Static caused the plastic wrap to have a strong cling to the glass bowl.
The baby's tight cling around her neck made it hard for Leila to breathe.
- release
the act of letting go; opposite of clinging.
用法筆記
Less common than the verb. Often used in technical or descriptive contexts (cling of fabric, cling of plastic wrap). The emotional sense (a desperate cling to hope) is rare but possible.