Go on at Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɡoʊ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈæt

GOH-awn-at or GOH-on-at

UK

ɡˈəʊ/ /ˈɒn/ /ˈæt

gOH-on-at

Definition

To criticize or complain to someone repeatedly, often in an annoying or nagging way.

Usage & Nuances

'Go on at' is informal and mainly British English. Often used with a person as the object: 'She keeps going on at me.' Implies persistent nagging or complaints that can be annoying. Not about continuing an activity (which would be just 'go on').

• Spanish: meterse con - regañar continuamente
• Portuguese (BR): pegar no pé - ficar reclamando
• Portuguese (PT): chatear - ralhar constantemente
• Chinese (Simplified): 唠叨 - 一直批评
• Chinese (Traditional): 嘮叨 - 一直批評
• Hindi: बार-बार ताना मारना - बार-बार डाँटना
• Arabic: يُلحّ على - يوبخ باستمرار
• Bengali: বারবার অভিযোগ করা - বিরক্তিকরভাবে বকাঝকা করা
• Russian: пилить - постоянно упрекать
• Japanese: しつこく文句を言う - 何度も小言を言う
• Vietnamese: cằn nhằn - phàn nàn liên tục
• Korean: 잔소리하다 - 끊임없이 불평하다
• Turkish: sürekli dırdır etmek - sürekli şikayet etmek
• Urdu: بار بار شکایت کرنا - کسی پر مسلسل تنقید کرنا
• Indonesian: terus-menerus mengeluh - terus-menerus mengomel

Example Sentences

My mom always goes on at me about my homework.

basic

Please stop going on at your brother. He did his best.

basic

The teacher goes on at us if we're late.

basic

She keeps going on at him for not doing the dishes.

natural

Don't go on at me about my phone—I'm being responsible.

natural

My dad used to go on at me to clean my room every Saturday.

natural