What is a slang-like phrase to use to describe someone constantly asking (in a formal or informal way) you to...
Somehow in my mind I had this very vague impression there is a phrase of form "xxx on" with xxx being a verb that does this.
Two examples,
My wife has been [phrase] on me to fix a broken sprinkler.
My boss has been [phrase] on me to get this done...
idioms
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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Somehow in my mind I had this very vague impression there is a phrase of form "xxx on" with xxx being a verb that does this.
Two examples,
My wife has been [phrase] on me to fix a broken sprinkler.
My boss has been [phrase] on me to get this done...
idioms
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Using "on", there is the informal verb "to hit on" but it does not suit your examples. More suited to the examples would be pester or badger but without any "on".
– Weather Vane
22 hours ago
2
nagging : (of a person) constantly harassing someone to do something.
– Ubi hatt
20 hours ago
asking for something.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
1
@Ubihatt ah, I think that is what's in my mind, thanks!
– Derek
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Somehow in my mind I had this very vague impression there is a phrase of form "xxx on" with xxx being a verb that does this.
Two examples,
My wife has been [phrase] on me to fix a broken sprinkler.
My boss has been [phrase] on me to get this done...
idioms
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Somehow in my mind I had this very vague impression there is a phrase of form "xxx on" with xxx being a verb that does this.
Two examples,
My wife has been [phrase] on me to fix a broken sprinkler.
My boss has been [phrase] on me to get this done...
idioms
idioms
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
edited 6 hours ago
Lambie
7,5011933
7,5011933
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
asked 22 hours ago
DerekDerek
1011
1011
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Using "on", there is the informal verb "to hit on" but it does not suit your examples. More suited to the examples would be pester or badger but without any "on".
– Weather Vane
22 hours ago
2
nagging : (of a person) constantly harassing someone to do something.
– Ubi hatt
20 hours ago
asking for something.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
1
@Ubihatt ah, I think that is what's in my mind, thanks!
– Derek
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Using "on", there is the informal verb "to hit on" but it does not suit your examples. More suited to the examples would be pester or badger but without any "on".
– Weather Vane
22 hours ago
2
nagging : (of a person) constantly harassing someone to do something.
– Ubi hatt
20 hours ago
asking for something.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
1
@Ubihatt ah, I think that is what's in my mind, thanks!
– Derek
5 hours ago
Using "on", there is the informal verb "to hit on" but it does not suit your examples. More suited to the examples would be pester or badger but without any "on".
– Weather Vane
22 hours ago
Using "on", there is the informal verb "to hit on" but it does not suit your examples. More suited to the examples would be pester or badger but without any "on".
– Weather Vane
22 hours ago
2
2
nagging : (of a person) constantly harassing someone to do something.
– Ubi hatt
20 hours ago
nagging : (of a person) constantly harassing someone to do something.
– Ubi hatt
20 hours ago
asking for something.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
asking for something.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
1
1
@Ubihatt ah, I think that is what's in my mind, thanks!
– Derek
5 hours ago
@Ubihatt ah, I think that is what's in my mind, thanks!
– Derek
5 hours ago
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
What about:
- going/carrying on about
- on my back about
- on my case about
"My wife has been carrying on about that broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my back about fixing the broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my case about the broken sprinkler."
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
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Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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to hound TFD
- To pursue relentlessly and tenaciously
- To make repeated demands of or subject to persistent criticism
As in:
My boss has been hounding me to get this done.
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
add a comment |
A common idiom is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
From Wikipedia:
The squeaky wheel gets the grease is an American proverb used to convey the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. It is alternately expressed as "The squeaky wheel gets the oil".
Some people are aware of this, and just keep on complaining about something until the person they're complaining to finally takes action, if only to stop them from continuing to be annoying.
As for a ??? on phrase specifically, you might be thinking of banging on.
From Cambridge Dictionary's entry for bang on:
to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to other people:
My parents are always banging on about how much better life was 20 years ago.
Interestingly, I've never considered it to be referring to something that's boring per se, but rather to something that's repetitive and annoying for being constantly mentioned. (Although I suppose it could also be boring.)
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
None of the other people who have replied seem to be aware of the British expression 'to go on at' https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/be-go-on-at-someone
The phrase you are looking for is "My wife has been on at me..."
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
What about:
- going/carrying on about
- on my back about
- on my case about
"My wife has been carrying on about that broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my back about fixing the broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my case about the broken sprinkler."
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
What about:
- going/carrying on about
- on my back about
- on my case about
"My wife has been carrying on about that broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my back about fixing the broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my case about the broken sprinkler."
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
What about:
- going/carrying on about
- on my back about
- on my case about
"My wife has been carrying on about that broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my back about fixing the broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my case about the broken sprinkler."
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What about:
- going/carrying on about
- on my back about
- on my case about
"My wife has been carrying on about that broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my back about fixing the broken sprinkler."
"My wife has been on my case about the broken sprinkler."
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
answered 21 hours ago
JasmineJasmine
212
212
New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jasmine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
to hound TFD
- To pursue relentlessly and tenaciously
- To make repeated demands of or subject to persistent criticism
As in:
My boss has been hounding me to get this done.
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
add a comment |
to hound TFD
- To pursue relentlessly and tenaciously
- To make repeated demands of or subject to persistent criticism
As in:
My boss has been hounding me to get this done.
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
add a comment |
to hound TFD
- To pursue relentlessly and tenaciously
- To make repeated demands of or subject to persistent criticism
As in:
My boss has been hounding me to get this done.
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
to hound TFD
- To pursue relentlessly and tenaciously
- To make repeated demands of or subject to persistent criticism
As in:
My boss has been hounding me to get this done.
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
answered 21 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
22.2k22575
add a comment |
add a comment |
A common idiom is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
From Wikipedia:
The squeaky wheel gets the grease is an American proverb used to convey the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. It is alternately expressed as "The squeaky wheel gets the oil".
Some people are aware of this, and just keep on complaining about something until the person they're complaining to finally takes action, if only to stop them from continuing to be annoying.
As for a ??? on phrase specifically, you might be thinking of banging on.
From Cambridge Dictionary's entry for bang on:
to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to other people:
My parents are always banging on about how much better life was 20 years ago.
Interestingly, I've never considered it to be referring to something that's boring per se, but rather to something that's repetitive and annoying for being constantly mentioned. (Although I suppose it could also be boring.)
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
A common idiom is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
From Wikipedia:
The squeaky wheel gets the grease is an American proverb used to convey the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. It is alternately expressed as "The squeaky wheel gets the oil".
Some people are aware of this, and just keep on complaining about something until the person they're complaining to finally takes action, if only to stop them from continuing to be annoying.
As for a ??? on phrase specifically, you might be thinking of banging on.
From Cambridge Dictionary's entry for bang on:
to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to other people:
My parents are always banging on about how much better life was 20 years ago.
Interestingly, I've never considered it to be referring to something that's boring per se, but rather to something that's repetitive and annoying for being constantly mentioned. (Although I suppose it could also be boring.)
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
A common idiom is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
From Wikipedia:
The squeaky wheel gets the grease is an American proverb used to convey the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. It is alternately expressed as "The squeaky wheel gets the oil".
Some people are aware of this, and just keep on complaining about something until the person they're complaining to finally takes action, if only to stop them from continuing to be annoying.
As for a ??? on phrase specifically, you might be thinking of banging on.
From Cambridge Dictionary's entry for bang on:
to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to other people:
My parents are always banging on about how much better life was 20 years ago.
Interestingly, I've never considered it to be referring to something that's boring per se, but rather to something that's repetitive and annoying for being constantly mentioned. (Although I suppose it could also be boring.)
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
A common idiom is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
From Wikipedia:
The squeaky wheel gets the grease is an American proverb used to convey the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. It is alternately expressed as "The squeaky wheel gets the oil".
Some people are aware of this, and just keep on complaining about something until the person they're complaining to finally takes action, if only to stop them from continuing to be annoying.
As for a ??? on phrase specifically, you might be thinking of banging on.
From Cambridge Dictionary's entry for bang on:
to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to other people:
My parents are always banging on about how much better life was 20 years ago.
Interestingly, I've never considered it to be referring to something that's boring per se, but rather to something that's repetitive and annoying for being constantly mentioned. (Although I suppose it could also be boring.)
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
answered 17 hours ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.1k32245
19.1k32245
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
How does that fit into: My wife has been [blank] etc.??
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
None of the other people who have replied seem to be aware of the British expression 'to go on at' https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/be-go-on-at-someone
The phrase you are looking for is "My wife has been on at me..."
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
None of the other people who have replied seem to be aware of the British expression 'to go on at' https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/be-go-on-at-someone
The phrase you are looking for is "My wife has been on at me..."
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
None of the other people who have replied seem to be aware of the British expression 'to go on at' https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/be-go-on-at-someone
The phrase you are looking for is "My wife has been on at me..."
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
None of the other people who have replied seem to be aware of the British expression 'to go on at' https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/be-go-on-at-someone
The phrase you are looking for is "My wife has been on at me..."
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
answered 12 hours ago
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,53331518
6,53331518
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
Well, there is also: to go on about, which isn't particularly British.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Derek is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Derek is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Derek is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Derek is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Using "on", there is the informal verb "to hit on" but it does not suit your examples. More suited to the examples would be pester or badger but without any "on".
– Weather Vane
22 hours ago
2
nagging : (of a person) constantly harassing someone to do something.
– Ubi hatt
20 hours ago
asking for something.
– Lambie
6 hours ago
1
@Ubihatt ah, I think that is what's in my mind, thanks!
– Derek
5 hours ago