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bang on

B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To keep talking about something when people are tired of hearing it; or to be exactly right about something.

Literal meaning: To hit (bang) continuously on a surface — the idiomatic leap is from physical repetitive striking to verbal repetition.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To talk about a subject repeatedly and at length, usually in a way that bores or irritates the listener.

"My uncle bangs on about politics every single time we have dinner."

"He's always banging on about how things were better in the old days."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

To knock loudly and repeatedly on a door or surface.

"Someone was banging on the window in the middle of the night."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

(British, adjectival/adverbial use) Exactly right; precisely on target.

"Your analysis is bang on — that's exactly what's happening."

"The timing was bang on."

Usage notes

Primarily British English. The sense of 'talking too much' is the most common. The adjectival sense 'bang on' (meaning exactly correct or on target) is also very British and is used as a predicate adjective or adverb, not as a phrasal verb per se.

Commonly used with

subject topic issue door table point

Forms

Base
bang on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bangs on
he/she/it
Past simple
banged on
yesterday
Past participle
banged on
have + pp
-ing form
banging on
continuous

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