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keep on about

B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To keep talking about the same thing again and again until it annoys people.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To repeatedly talk about or mention the same topic, especially in a way that irritates others.

"My dad keeps on about how cheap petrol used to be when he was young."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To persistently nag someone about a particular subject until they act on it.

"She kept on about the broken step until her landlord finally came to fix it."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Strongly suggests the listener finds the repetition tedious or irritating. Common in everyday British and Australian English. Often used to describe complaints, opinions, or instructions that are repeated beyond what seems necessary. The phrase 'What are you keeping on about?' is a common idiomatic question.

Commonly used with

same thing money diet rules mistake job

Forms

Base
keep on about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps on about
he/she/it
Past simple
kept on about
yesterday
Past participle
kept on about
have + pp
-ing form
keeping on about
continuous

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Synonyms

go on about harp on about bang on about drone on about rabbit on about

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