cling to

[/klɪŋ tu/]

verb

agarrar-se a; apegar-se a

1. To hold onto something tightly, either physically or emotionally

The child clung to her mother's hand.

A criança agarrou-se à mão de sua mãe.

2. To refuse to let go of an idea, belief, or memory

He clings to the hope that she will return.

Ele apega-se à esperança de que ela voltará.

3. To stay close to someone or something

The fabric clings to her body.

O tecido cola ao seu corpo.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

agarrar-se a; apegar-se a

Most commonly used in both physical and emotional contexts

Rio de Janeiro

colar em

Colloquial usage, more common for physical clinging

São Paulo

agarrar-se a; apegar-se a

Standard usage, preferred in formal contexts

Portugal

agarrar-se a; pegar-se a

Slight variations in verb conjugation and formality

cling to life

cling to the past

cling to power

cling to one's beliefs

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