Hang back
Hang back verb - To show uncertainty about the right course of action.
Usage example: even though the young mother wanted the job, she still hung back because she wasn't sure if she should spend time away from her family
Linger
Linger verb - To move or act slowly.
Hang back and linger are semantically related in dilly-dally topic. You can use "Hang back" instead a verb "Linger". informal substitute
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Linger and Hang back. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/hang_back/linger
Hang back & Linger. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/hang_back/linger>.
Linger or Hang back. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/hang_back/linger.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "hang back" and "linger" have occurred on timeline