Phrasal verb
dwell on
To dwell on something is to keep thinking or talking about it for too long, especially something unpleasant.
Meanings
To keep thinking about something, especially something negative, for longer than is helpful.
To talk or write about one point or detail for too long instead of moving on.
Definition
If you dwell on something, you focus your attention on it for a long time instead of moving on. It is often used for worries, mistakes, or negative experiences. It can also mean spending too much time on one detail in a discussion.
Examples
- Try not to dwell on what went wrong yesterday.
- She tends to dwell on every small mistake.
- He didn’t dwell on the breakup and focused on work.
- Let’s not dwell on the past; we need a plan.
- The report dwells on minor details and misses the main point.
Common mistake
Learners often say "dwell in" instead of "dwell on" when they mean to focus on a thought or topic.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.