rattle on
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To keep talking and talking without stopping, in a way that can be annoying or boring for the listener.
Literal meaning: The sound of something rattling continuously — an unpleasant, unstoppable noise compared to excessive talking.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To talk continuously at length, often in an annoying or tedious way.
"He rattled on about his holiday for so long that everyone stopped listening."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To continue moving or progressing noisily and at a steady pace.
"The old train rattled on through the countryside as the passengers dozed."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Usually has a mildly negative or exasperated tone — the speaker rattling on is typically not aware of how long they've been talking, or doesn't care. Common in everyday British English. Sometimes used without strong negativity to describe enthusiastic talk.
Commonly used with
about for hours endlessly away
Forms
Base
rattle on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rattles on
he/she/it
Past simple
rattled on
yesterday
Past participle
rattled on
have + pp
-ing form
rattling on
continuous
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