harp on

[/hɑːrp ɒn/]
phrasal verb
insistir em; ficar martelando; repetir constantemente
1. To talk repeatedly and tediously about something; to dwell on a subject in an annoying way
Stop harping on about my mistakes; I already apologized.
Pare de ficar martelando sobre meus erros; eu já pedi desculpas.
2. To emphasize or stress something excessively and persistently
She keeps harping on the importance of saving money.
Ela continua insistindo na importância de poupar dinheiro.
This expression is commonly used in American English to describe someone who is annoyingly repetitive or persistently dwelling on a topic. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'ficar martelando' (literally 'keep hammering') conveys the same sense of tiresome repetition. The phrase originates from the literal playing of a harp, as if repeating the same note endlessly.
NYC Slang
break your chops about something; talk someone's ear off
Synonyms / Sinônimos
go on aboutbang on aboutkeep on aboutdwell onbelaborrepeat constantly
Antonyms / Antônimos
drop the subjectlet it gomove onstop mentioning

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ficar martelando em; insistir em
Most common usage in informal Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ficar enchendo o saco com
More colloquial and regional expression
São Paulo
insistir em; repetir à exaustão
Slightly more formal usage
Portugal
bater na mesma tecla; insistir em
Portuguese equivalent, literally 'hit the same key'

Related Words

harprepetitivetediouspersistentemphasisobsess

Related Idioms & Phrases

harp on the same string
harp on one string
beat a dead horse (similar meaning)
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