Definition of the word hang up

The origin of the phrase "hang up" in the context of ending a telephone conversation can be traced back to the early days of the telephone in the late 1800s. At that time, telephones were not cordless, and the handset was connected to the telephone by a long, curled-up wire known as a "cord." In order to end a call, the caller had to physically replace the handset back into its cradle, which was typically attached to the wall or a wooden box. The cradle would hold the handset in place until the next call was received. Over time, the phrase "hang up" emerged as a convenient way to describe the motion of replacing the handset into its holder or the cradle. The term "hang up" likely evolved from the physical action of hanging the handset on the cradle, as the handset appeared to "hang" from the telephone's hook or kink when placed inside the cradle. From this, the phrase "hang up" eventually became a common expression for ending a phone conversation, both literally and figuratively, as it has come to represent not just the physical act but also the metaphorical act of concluding or finishing something.