be on about
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to talk about something for a long time, often in a way that is confusing or annoying.
phrasal verb. to speak at length about a particular topic; frequently used in interrogative or negative constructions to express confusion or impatience regarding the speaker's intended meaning.
I have no idea what you are on about.
He was on about his new car again for the entire lunch break.
The lecturer was on about some obscure 18th-century poet, but the students struggled to follow his train of thought.
highly informal and most common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English.
this is almost always used in the continuous form ('be on about') and is a great way to teach learners how to express mild frustration with a speaker's lack of clarity.
What do you on about?What are you on about?this phrase requires the auxiliary verb 'be' because it functions as a continuous state of talking.
Last updated April 24, 2026