cliffhanger
Cliffhanger (noun) means an ending or stopping point calculated to leave a story unresolved, in order to create suspense.
Etymology
From cliff + hanger, evoking the image of someone left hanging from a cliff, thereby having an uncertain fate. The term cliffhanger is considered to have originated with the serialized version of Thomas Hardy's A Pair of Blue Eyes, published in Tinsley's Magazine in the 1870s, in which the character Henry Knight is left hanging off of a cliff. It was inspired by a real life story from his wife Emma's childhood, when she had to rescue one of her school friends from a similar position.
Rhymes for cliffhanger
See all rhymes for cliffhanger →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of cliffhanger?
"cliffhanger" (noun) means an ending or stopping point calculated to leave a story unresolved, in order to create suspense.
What are the different meanings of cliffhanger?
"cliffhanger" has 2 main meanings: 1. An ending or stopping point calculated to leave a story unresolved, in order to create suspense; 2. An outcome which is awaited with keen anticipation, especially one which is delayed for a period of time or which is not known until the last minute.