HARP UPON Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "harp upon" is a verb phrase that is commonly used to convey the idea of repeatedly emphasizing or dwelling upon a particular topic or issue. When someone "harp upon" something, they continually talk about it, discuss it, or refer to it, usually in a repetitive or persistent manner. This phrase typically implies a sense of redundancy or annoyance as the speaker tends to excessively focus on or reiterate a point.
It often suggests a sense of monotony or irritation to listeners who may find the speaker's repetition tiresome or unnecessary. In a conversation or debate, individuals who "harp upon" a point may appear fixated or obsessed, repeatedly bringing up the same subject matter to ensure their stance is understood or to convince others of their views.
The phrase "harp upon" can be used both in a literal and metaphorical sense. In a literal sense, it may refer to someone repeatedly playing or striking the strings of a harp, producing the same sounds continuously. In a metaphorical sense, however, it implies an incessant repetition of ideas or opinions, creating a similar effect of tiresome repetition.
Overall, "harp upon" denotes the act of persistently emphasizing, repeating, or expounding upon a particular topic, often conveying a feeling of annoyance or redundancy to others participating in the conversation.
Common Misspellings for HARP UPON
- garp upon
- barp upon
- narp upon
- jarp upon
- uarp upon
- yarp upon
- hzrp upon
- hsrp upon
- hwrp upon
- hqrp upon
- haep upon
- hadp upon
- hafp upon
- hatp upon
- ha5p upon
- ha4p upon
- haro upon
- harl upon
- har- upon
- har0 upon
Etymology of HARP UPON
The phrase "harp upon" has its roots in the Middle English word "harpin", which originated from the Old English word "heorpin" or "hearpe" meaning "harp". In its literal sense, "harp upon" refers to playing a harp repeatedly or dwelling on a particular musical theme or melody. Over time, the phrase came to be figuratively used to describe constantly repeating or emphasizing a particular point or subject in speech or conversation. The metaphorical extension of the musical meaning to verbal repetition led to the modern usage of "harp upon" as a synonym for continuously stressing or emphasizing a topic.
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