be hanged—be put to death by hanging:
- Bentley’s appeal against his conviction was dismissed and he was hanged in Wandsworth prison.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be left hanging—
1. (of people) be kept waiting for a decision or answer:
- I was left hanging for three weeks before I got a call offering me the job.
2. (of a decision, answer, etc.) be delayed or not dealt with:
- The result is an alienated monologue in which comments are left hanging without response.
be hung—
1. (of paintings) be exhibited in a gallery, etc.:
- The members of the Academy were granted the privilege of retouching their pictures after they were hung.
2. (sl.) feel annoyed:
- Fred is hung and looking for somebody to take it out on.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be well-hung—
1. (of meat or game) hung long enough to mature:
- The grouse was well hung, and rare…. The meat had a clean taste set off by creamy avocado custard.
2. (in the phrase “one’s tongue is well hung”) one is able to speak with ease:
- Her tongue was well hung; but she must answer the questions he asked, and say nothing more.
3. (coarse sl.) used of a man with large genitals:
- For a boy of fifteen he was well-hung with a good crop of sandy pubic hair.
See also: be hung over / hang over.