"hang the washing" vs "Hang up the washing"

Question

"hang the washing" vs "Hang up the washing"

Both 'hang the washing' and 'hang up the washing' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Hang the washing' is commonly used in British English to mean hanging clothes on a washing line to dry. On the other hand, 'hang up the washing' is more commonly used in American English to mean putting clothes on a hanger or hook after they have been washed.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

This phrase is commonly used in British English to refer to the act of hanging clothes on a washing line to dry.

Examples:

I need to go outside and hang the washing before it starts raining.
She spends her mornings hanging the washing in the backyard.

Alternatives:

hang out the washing
hang the laundry
hang clothes to dry

This phrase is commonly used in American English to refer to the act of putting clothes on a hanger or hook after they have been washed.

Examples:

After washing the clothes, she hangs up the washing in the closet.
Can you help me hang up the washing in the laundry room?

Alternatives:

hang the laundry up
put the clothes on hangers
hang clothes after washing

Answer 1

hang the washing

This phrase is correct, especially in British English, where it means to hang clothes on a washing line to dry.

Answer 2

Hang up the washing

This phrase is correct, especially in American English, where it means to put clothes on a hanger or hook after washing.

"hang the washing" vs "Hang up the washing"

hang the washing

Hang up the washing

Related Comparisons