rabbiting on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rabbiting on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe someone who is talking at length, often in a tedious or repetitive manner. Example: "I tried to focus on the meeting, but John just kept rabbiting on about his weekend plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

3) "China has an exciting new economic policy" All week Chinese and UK officials have been rabbiting on about "one belt, one road" – a Beijing plan to resurrect the old medieval Silk Road that connected China to Europe and the old maritime trading routes as well.

Independent

But he's too busy rabbiting on to have noticed.

The Guardian - Arts

He spent it rabbiting on about how he was actually an innocent man.

The Guardian - Sport

Both artist and subject recalled the sittings as much less serious than the finished portrait: "We were rabbiting on about anything and everything," Windsor said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He's still rabbiting on when the house lights come up, and the road crew have to all but drag him offstage.

The Guardian - Music

On the other hand, Sylvia Nasar does not quote his acceptance speech, and we must take it on trust from Ron Howard that Nash did indeed go all gloopy on the Swedes and start rabbiting on about "the mysterious equations of love".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So, instead of reading me rabbit on too much, here – straight from War Town, Brazil – is Victor's mix.

Vice

Though please explain that Japanese rabbit-on-the-moon reference in your speech before you come over.

The Guardian - Opinion

I spotted one rabbit on the hillside; that was about as rambunctious as it got.

Independent

Delta is one of the few airlines that usually allow rabbits on board in the cabin.

WikiHow

But we wanted things to pretend to be rabbits on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rabbiting on" to describe someone talking at length about something considered trivial or uninteresting by others. It adds a colorful, informal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "rabbiting on" in formal or professional settings, as it can be perceived as unprofessional or disrespectful. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "discussing at length" or "elaborating" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rabbiting on" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of talking at length, often about trivial matters. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rabbiting on" is an informal verb phrase used to describe someone talking at length, often tediously. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, though more appropriate for casual contexts. While "going on and on" or "rambling on" offer similar meanings, "rabbiting on" adds a more colorful tone. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. Remember to avoid it in formal settings to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going on and on

Emphasizes the excessive length and potential monotony of the talk.

rambling on

Highlights the disorganized and meandering nature of the speech.

prattling on

Implies a foolish or inconsequential flow of speech.

blathering on

Suggests foolish, voluble talk.

chattering away

Focuses on the continuous and often excited nature of the talk.

droning on

Implies a monotonous and tedious manner of speaking.

yakking away

Focuses on incessant and trivial talking.

waffling on

Suggests a lack of clarity or purpose in the speech.

gabbling on

Suggests rapid and unintelligible speech.

spouting off

Indicates speaking volubly and pompously.

FAQs

What does "rabbiting on" mean?

"Rabbiting on" means to talk at length in a foolish or tiresome way.

What can I say instead of "rabbiting on"?

You can use alternatives like "going on and on", "rambling on", or "prattling on" depending on the context.

Is "rabbiting on" considered formal or informal language?

"Rabbiting on" is considered informal language and is best used in casual conversation or writing.

How can I use "rabbiting on" in a sentence?

You could say, "He kept rabbiting on about his stamp collection, even though no one was interested."