Hang on to bar (4)
I believe the answer is:
save
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'hang on to' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'bar' is the second definition.
(both can mean 'except')
(Other definitions for save that I've seen before include "Apart from" , "Deliver from danger" , "what prevents a goal" , "Retain" , "Salvage" .)