PhrasesHub

Harp on

    Definitions

      • to talk or complain about something repeatedly
        Express frustration or annoyance at someone's continuous focus on a particular topic or issue

      • to dwell on a subject
        Highlight someone's tendency to constantly bring up a particular topic or problem, often in a negative or unproductive manner

    Examples of Harp on

    • John has been harping on the need to renovate the school library for weeks now.

      In this example, the verb "has been harping" is used to describe John's persistent and repetitive discussion about the need to renovate the school library. "Harp" is used here as a metaphor to represent an aggressive or insistent form of speaking, similar to the continuous and relentless sounding of a musical instrument.

    • During the budget meeting, the CEO harped on the idea that cost-cutting measures are necessary for the company to stay competitive.

      In this example, the CEO's discussion about the necessity of cost-cutting measures is described as persistent and repetitive, emphasizing the importance and urgency of this issue. The use of "harped" here adds a sense of intensity and conviction to the CEO's argument.

    • At the family dinner, Sarah's uncle kept harping on his political opinions, causing tension and disagreement among the guests.

      Here, the uncle's persistent discussion on his political beliefs is being described as causing tension and disagreement among the other guests, indicating that his harping on the subject is not welcomed or appreciated. The use of "harping" in this context adds a negative connotation, implying that the uncle's obsession with this topic is disruptive and unnecessary.

    • Despite the manager's repeated efforts to address the employee's complaints, he continued harping on the same issues, making it difficult for the team to move forward.

      In this final example, the use of "harping" implies that the employee's complaints have become a source of frustration and repetition, suggesting that the manager has already taken action to address the issues, but the employee continues to persist in bringing them up. The use of "harping" here adds a sense of urgency to the situation, implying that the employee's behavior is hindering progress and productivity.

    • Sarah harped on about her promotion at work during the entire dinner party, causing everyone else at the table to lose interest.

      The verb 'harp' here means to keep talking about something repeatedly and insistently. 'On' is a preposition indicating that Sarah continued to discuss her promotion without any pause or interruption.

    • The media has been harping on the political scandal for weeks, ignoring all other news and events.

      This example shows how 'harp' can also be used in a passive voice sentence. In this case, the media is being portrayed as if it has a mind of its own and is relentlessly focusing on the scandal.

    • Despite my friend's pleas to move on, he continued to harp on about the arguments we had in the past, preventing us from enjoying the present.

      This example illustrates how 'harp' can also imply a negative connotation. In this case, my friend's insistence on reliving old conflicts is causing damage to our current relationship.

    • Let's not harp on the mistakes we made in the past; rather, let's focus on how we can learn from them and move forward.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom 'harp on' can be used to contrast two different approaches. In this case, harping on past mistakes is being compared to learning from them and using that knowledge to move forward.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "harp on" is used to convey the idea of repeatedly discussing or complaining about a specific topic or issue. It can be used to express frustration at someone's continuous focus on a particular subject, or to highlight their habit of constantly bringing up a specific topic in a negative or unproductive manner.

    Overall, the phrase "harp on" is often used to suggest that the person should stop dwelling on the subject and move on to more positive or productive discussions.

    Origin of "Harp on"

    The origin of the idiom "harp on" can be traced back to the practice of playing the harp, a stringed musical instrument. The repetitive nature of harp music, with its continuous plucking of strings, may have led to the association of the idiom with the act of repeatedly discussing or complaining about a specific topic.

    The phrase "harp on" has been used in the English language for centuries, and its origins can be found in the idea of someone figuratively harping on a particular subject in the same way a musician would repeatedly pluck the strings of a harp. Over time, the idiom has evolved to convey the concept of dwelling on a subject or complaining about it excessively.