Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) to hit hard.

1915

Van Loan ‘On Account of a Lady’ in Taking the Count 128: ‘I hung it on Battling Watlington with these [i.e. boxing gloves],’ said the donor modestly.

2. (Aus.) in fig. use of sense 1, to pass on a message.

1983

J. Byrell (con. 1959) Up the Cross 16: ‘D’ya expect us to hang it on to Whiffy to hit you you with the hard word about taking you out’.