rumble on

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive

In simple words

to keep going for a long time

Literal meaning: to make a deep rolling sound and continue

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

common

to continue making a deep, heavy sound

"The storm rumbled on through the night."

Grammar: inseparable

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

to continue for a long time without ending, especially in an unpleasant or unresolved way

"The dispute has rumbled on for months without any agreement."

"The war in Ukraine rumbles on."
— Common news headline wording; exact publication/date not reliably recalled

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Used both literally for thunder, engines, and noise, and figuratively for wars, arguments, or crises.

war debate thunder conflict engine controversy

Base

rumble on

I/you/we/they

3rd person

rumbles on

he/she/it

Past simple

rumbled on

yesterday

Past participle

rumbled on

have + pp

-ing form

rumbling on

continuous

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