Keep on at Meaning in English
expression
ˈkip/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈæt
KEEP-awn-at or KEEP-AHN-at
kˈiːp/ /ˈɒn/ /ˈæt
KEEP-on-at
Definition
To repeatedly ask or complain to someone about something, often in an annoying way.
Usage & Nuances
Primarily British English and informal. Used when someone is persistently demanding or complaining to another person. Commonly follows: 'keep on at someone' (e.g., 'She keeps on at me about my homework'). Easily confused with 'nag' or 'harp on', but 'keep on at' implies repetition over time.
Spanish: insistir (repetidamente) - estar encima de - molestar insistiendoPortuguese (BR): ficar insistindo - pegar no péPortuguese (PT): insistir (repetidamente) - chatearChinese (Simplified): 不停地唠叨 - 一再催促Chinese (Traditional): 不停地嘮叨 - 一再催促Hindi: बार-बार कहना - तगादा करनाArabic: يواظب على الإلحاح - يواصل الإزعاجBengali: বারবার বলা - পীড়াপীড়ি করাRussian: постоянно приставать - надоедать (повторно)Japanese: しつこく言い続ける - 何度も注意するVietnamese: cứ nhắc đi nhắc lại - thúc giục liên tụcKorean: 계속 잔소리하다 - 끈질기게 말하다Turkish: ısrarla üstelemek - durmadan dırdır etmekUrdu: بار بار اصرار کرنا - پیچھے پڑناIndonesian: terus-menerus menegur - terus mendesak
Example Sentences
She keeps on at me for leaving the lights on.
natural
He always keeps on at me to clean my room.
basic
Please don't keep on at your brother about his homework.
basic
If you keep on at her, she will get annoyed.
basic
My parents just keep on at me about getting a 'real job.'
natural
Stop keeping on at him—he's doing his best.
natural