hang the moon

English

Verb

hang the moon (third-person singular simple present hangs the moon, present participle hanging the moon, simple past and past participle hung the moon)

1. (idiomatic, US) To place the moon in the sky: used as an example of a superlative act attributed to someone viewed with uncritical or excessive awe, reverence, or infatuation.
   • 1967 June 2, “The Old Man and the MIGs”, in Time:

     "Everybody in the 8th Wing thinks he hung the moon," says one of Olds's aviators. "We'd follow him anywhere."

   • 1989, Mac McNally, Two Dozen Roses:

     If I had two dozens roses and an older bottle of wine,
     If I really could have hung the moon,
     Would it change your mind?

   • 1994, Pam Tillis, Dean Dillon, Spilled Perfume:

     Did you really think last night would last forever?
     Did you really think that guy hung the moon?
     Right now you hate yourself 'cause you know better
     But there's no use crying over spilled perfume.

Derived terms

• think one hung the moon