Phrasal verb
hold forth
Definition
phr.v. to talk for a long time about a topic you know well, often while others just listen.
phr.v. to speak at great length or deliver an opinionated discourse, often in a self-important manner.
Examples
“He likes to hold forth on politics during dinner.”
“The professor held forth for nearly an hour about the history of the local architecture.”
“The CEO held forth on the virtues of corporate synergy while the rest of the board members checked their watches in silence.”
Examples
simple
“He likes to hold forth on politics during dinner.”
contextual
“The professor held forth for nearly an hour about the history of the local architecture.”
complex
“The CEO held forth on the virtues of corporate synergy while the rest of the board members checked their watches in silence.”
Usage
This is an intransitive phrasal verb; it does not take a direct object, but often uses the preposition 'on' or 'about' to introduce the topic.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'chat' or 'discuss' to show the one-sided nature of 'holding forth'; it implies a performance rather than a dialogue.
This term often carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting the speaker is being tedious or self-important.
Synonyms
Phrasal verb
Particles
forth
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
hold + forth (+ on/about + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/hold-forth