cling
/klɪŋ; klɪŋ/ v
(pt, pp clung/ klʌŋ; klʌŋ/)
1 [Ipr, Ip] ~ (on) to sb/sth; ~ on; ~ together hold on tightly to sb/sth 紧抓住或抱住某人[某物]
survivors clinging to a raft 紧抓住木筏的生还者
They clung to each other/clung together as they said goodbye. 他们告别时, 紧紧地拥抱在一起. * Cling on tight! 抓紧!
2 [Ipr] ~ (on) to sth be unwilling to abandon sth; refuse to give sth up 舍不得放弃某事物; 拒绝放弃某事物
cling to a belief, an opinion, a theory, etc 坚持一种信仰、 意见、 理论等
cling to one's possessions 舍不得放弃财物
She clung to the hope that he was still alive. 她始终抱著一个希望, 就是他仍活著.
3 [I, Ipr] ~ (to sth) become attached to sth; stick to sth 附著於某物
The smell of smoke clings (to one's clothes) for a long time. 烟味长久附著（在衣服上）不散.
a dress that clings to (ie fits closely so as to show the shape of) the body 紧贴身体（显出体形）的连衣裙.
4 [Ipr] ~ to sb/sth stay close to sb/sth 紧靠著某人[某物]
The ship clung to the coastline. 船紧靠著海岸线.
Don't cling to the kerb when you're driving. 不要紧贴路边开车.
5 [I, Ipr] ~ (to sb) (esp derog 尤作贬义) be emotionally dependent on sb; stay too close to sb 感情上依靠某人; 太接近某人; 依恋
Small children cling to their mothers. 小孩子都缠著母亲.
6 (idm 习语) cling/stick to sb like a leech => leech.