to cling to; to hold on tightly (physically), and figuratively to cling to something like the past or a person.
幼い子が母親の服にしがみついて離れない。
The little child clings to his mother's clothes and won't let go.
彼は昔の成功にしがみついて前に進めない。
He can't move forward because he clings to his past successes.
崖にしがみついて必死に助けを待った。
She clung to the cliff and desperately waited for help.