keep harping on about

USAGE SUMMARY

"Keep harping on about" is an idiom and is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to continue to talk about a particular subject or idea in a repetitive and annoying way. For example, "My boss keeps harping on about the importance of punctuality in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Why does she keep harping on about intersectionality?

The Guardian

But the message today is to not keep harping on about the floods, otherwise our economy is really going to suffer.

The Guardian

In order to do so, businesses keep harping on about stupid little expendable fish, but the fish are beside the point.

Vice

Doing so, GPs should be careful not to overload patients with information and not to keep "harping on" about health advice that does not (yet) interest the patient.

BMC Family Practice

Being vague about your past lovers will pique the interest of some people but it soon passes when they realize that you simply won't budge on the point; however, if they keep harping on about it, consider that their ongoing insecurities might just be a sign for you that this relationship isn't worth pursuing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What kind of maverick, after all, keeps harping on what a maverick she is?

The Guardian - Opinion

Kyle Courtney grew up watching ABC News, but he's angry that the network keeps harping on all those pesky allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Huffington Post

If so, what are the values it keeps harping on about?

The Guardian - Opinion

The thing that I kept harping on about [in the interview] was that I saw Ian McKellen play Richard III [in a 1990 NT touring production] at the New Theatre in Cardiff three times in one week.

Independent

That's one reason we keep harping on the expense ratio.

Forbes

Why did she keep harping on the sexual abuse?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using this phrase, as it can be perceived as dismissive or condescending. In professional settings, it may be better to use less informal alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "keep harping on about" in formal writing or professional settings where a more neutral or respectful tone is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "repeatedly mentioned" or "consistently emphasized" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "keep harping on about" functions as a verbal expression used to describe someone's repetitive and often irritating persistence in discussing a particular topic. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep harping on about" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who repetitively and often annoyingly discusses a topic. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as commonly used, particularly in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, but it is more appropriate for informal settings due to its somewhat critical connotation. Alternatives such as "repeatedly emphasize" may be more suitable for formal communication. When writing, remember that "keep harping on about" indicates a level of frustration with the repetition. In essence, understanding the context and audience is key to effectively using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harp on

Indicates persistent and tedious repetition of a topic.

dwell on

Focuses on continuously thinking or speaking about something, often negatively.

continually bring up

Highlights the recurring nature of introducing a topic into conversation.

persist in mentioning

Focuses on the continuous and unwavering act of bringing something up.

hammer away at

Implies relentless and forceful repetition of a message or idea.

insist on

Highlights the act of persistently demanding or emphasizing something.

repeatedly refer to

Emphasizes the frequent return to a particular subject.

reiterate

Emphasizes the repeated stating of information for clarity or emphasis.

belabor the point

Indicates excessive discussion or emphasis on a point that is already understood.

beat a dead horse

Suggests continuing to argue a point that is already settled or irrelevant.

FAQs

How can I use "keep harping on about" in a sentence?

You can use "keep harping on about" to describe someone who repeatedly and annoyingly talks about the same thing. For example, "He "keeps harping on about" the importance of saving money, even though we all agree."

What's a more formal alternative to "keep harping on about"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "repeatedly emphasizing", "consistently mentioning", or "continually referring to" as alternatives to "keeps harping on about".

What does it mean to "keep harping on about" something?

To "keep harping on about" something means to repeatedly and tiresomely talk about it, often to the point of annoyance for others.

Is "harping on" the same as "keep harping on about"?

"Harping on" and "keep harping on about" are similar, with the latter emphasizing the continuous nature of the repetition. You can also use "dwell on" as similar alternative.