harp
Related to harp: Haarp
harp away at (someone or something)
To complain about or dwell upon someone or something repeatedly and to the point of tediousness. Mark is always harping away at how little money he makes. I wish he would come up with something new to talk about! You need to stop harping away at your boss and just quit already!
See also: away, harp
harp on (one) (about something)
To nag one persistently and annoyingly about some issue. It was one mistake—why do you keep harping on me about it? Tom's been harping on us to get the alpha build ready for testing.
See also: harp, on
harp on (something)
To continue to mention or complain about some issue in a persistent and irritating manner. It was one mistake—why do you keep harping on it? I don't want to harp on this issue any longer, but I really need it to be resolved today.
See also: harp, on
harp on about (someone or something)
To continue to discuss, mention, or gripe about someone or something in a very persistent and irritating manner. He spent the whole date harping on about his research. I don't think he asked me about myself once! I don't want to harp on about this issue any longer, but I really need it to be resolved today. Sorry, I've harped on about the irritating people in my work for long enough.
See also: harp, on
harp on one string
To dwell tediously and repeatedly upon a single subject or topic, especially in complaint. Likened to playing the same note over and over again on a harp. Mark is always harping on one string about how little money he makes. I wish he would come up with something new to talk about! I get it, you don't like your job. Quit harping on one string!
See also: harp, on, one, string
harp on the same string
To dwell tediously and repeatedly upon a single subject or topic, especially in complaint. Likened to playing the same note over and over again on a harp. Mark is always harping on the same string about how little money he makes. I wish he would come up with something new to talk about! I get it, you don't like your job. Quit harping on the same string!
See also: harp, on, same, string
keep harping on (someone or something)
1. To continue to discuss, mention, or gripe about something in a very persistent and irritating manner. I wish you would stop harping on my mistake. I said I was sorry! He said he liked the movie, but then he kept harping on all the problems he had with it.
2. To pester or harass someone frequently or continually (about something). My parents keep harping on me to try harder in school, but I just don't care about any of my classes. I don't want to keep harping on you about this issue, but I really need it to be resolved today.
See also: harp, keep, on
keep harping on about (someone or something)
To continue to discuss, mention, or gripe about someone or something in a very persistent and irritating manner. My roommate keeps harping on about all the irritating people she works with. I wish she would just find a different job already. He just kept harping on about his various achievements throughout the whole date. I don't think he asked me about myself once! I don't want to keep harping on about this issue, but I really need it to be resolved today.
See also: harp, keep, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
harp on someone or something
Fig. to keep talking or complaining about someone or something; to refer to someone or something again and again. I wish you would quit harping on Jeff all the time. He couldn't be all that bad. Stop harping on my mistakes and work on your own.
See also: harp, on
keep harping on something
to continue to talk or complain about something; to keep raising a topic of conversation. (See also harp on something.) Why do you keep harping on the same old complaint? You keep harping on my problems and ignore your own!
See also: harp, keep, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
harp on
Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent. For example, She kept harping on the fact that she had no household help at all. This expression is a shortening of harp on the same string, meaning "to play the same note over and over." It was first recorded in 1518.
See also: harp, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
harp on the same string
dwell tediously on one subject.See also: harp, on, same, string
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
harp on
v.
To talk about something to an excessive and tedious degree; dwell on something: Every day my teacher harps on the importance of getting to class on time.
See also: harp, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- harp away at (someone or something)
- half the trouble of (something)
- gripe to (someone or something)
- gripe to (someone or something) about (someone or something)
- gripe about (someone or something) to (someone or something)
- harp on (something)
- harp on about (someone or something)
- keep harping on about (someone or something)
- harp on
- harp on (one) (about something)