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hinge on

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hinge (up)on someone or something

Fig. to depend on someone or something; to depend on what someone or something does. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than cm.) The success of the project hinges upon you and how well you do your job. How well the corn crop does all hinges on the weather.

See also: on

hinge on something

also hinge upon something

to depend on something The case hinged on whether the jury believed the accused thief or the two witnesses.

Etymology: based on the idea that a door is attached to its frame by a hinge (folding device)

See also: on

hinge on

Also, hinge upon. Depend or be contingent on, as in This plan hinges on her approval. This expression employs the verb hinge in the sense of "to hang," as a door would hang on a hinge, a usage dating from the early 1700s.

See also: on

hinge on

or hinge upon

v.

To depend on something or someone. Used of facts, events, and situations: The success of this play hinges on three weeks of rehearsal. Whether or not we reach our fundraising goal hinges upon our volunteers.

See also: on