wax on

B2 neutral separable both

In simple words

To put wax on something, or to talk for a long time about something.

Literal meaning: To apply wax to a surface — one sense is fully literal; the speaking sense is an archaic figurative extension.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

common

To apply wax to a surface, typically as part of a polishing or protective routine.

"Wax on, wax off — the old man insisted it was the best way to polish the car."

"Wax on, wax off."
— Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid (1984 film)

Grammar: separable

2 C1 idiomatic informal

uncommon

To speak at length on a subject, often enthusiastically or long-windedly.

"He could wax on for hours about the history of jazz."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

The waxing/polishing sense was popularised in Western culture through the 1984 film The Karate Kid. The speaking sense derives from an archaic use of 'wax' meaning 'to grow or become', now mostly found in 'wax lyrical', 'wax poetic', etc. The film-related sense is very widely recognised.

Commonly used with

surface car floor lyrical poetic philosophical

Forms

Base

wax on

I/you/we/they

3rd person

waxes on

he/she/it

Past simple

waxed on

yesterday

Past participle

waxed on

have + pp

-ing form

waxing on

continuous

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