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hinge on

to depend entirely on

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to depend on something; to be determined by something

2. (verb) to turn or swing on a hinge (literal, physical sense)

Examples

• 1. The success of the project hinges on finding enough funding.
• 2. The door hinges on metal brackets attached to the frame.

How to use hinge on

The figurative sense 'to depend on' is more common in contemporary usage and appears frequently in discussions of consequences and conditions. It emphasizes that something is critically or essentially dependent on a particular factor, often with a sense that the outcome is uncertain until that factor is determined. The literal physical sense remains standard but is less frequently used in everyday speech.

Common phrases

• hinges on the decision
• hinges on whether
• hinges on timing
• everything hinges on
• the outcome hinges on

Synonyms

depend on · turn on · rest on · pivot on · hang on

Word family

hinge (noun) · hinged (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'hinge in' or 'hinge to' instead of the correct preposition 'hinge on', or they may confuse it with 'hinges at' when referring to physical hinges.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

gear up, get around, hand out, hold up, keep on, lash out

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained