yarn on
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To tell lots of stories and talk on and on, in the way people do around a campfire.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To tell stories or anecdotes at length, especially in an entertaining but long-winded way.
"Grandpa would yarn on all evening about his time at sea if you let him."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Comes from the noun 'yarn' meaning a long story or tale. Common in Australian and British English. Can be affectionate (a good storyteller who goes on too long) or mildly dismissive. Less widely used than 'yak on' or 'ramble on'.
Commonly used with
stories tales all night endlessly campfire hours
Forms
Base
yarn on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
yarns on
he/she/it
Past simple
yarned on
yesterday
Past participle
yarned on
have + pp
-ing form
yarning on
continuous
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