Idioms

be on at

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be on at

1. To be televised at a particular time (which follows "at"). The movie is on at 8, so I'm going to start making the popcorn now. That show does sound interesting, but it's on at 10, and I just can't stay up that late! I guess cartoons are the only thing that's on at 8:00 AM on a Saturday morning.
2. To nag someone about something. In this usage, "at" is followed by a noun or pronoun. Ugh, my mom is on at me all the time about my grades, but I just have no interest in the classes I'm taking this semester. My boss has been on at me all week to get that report done. I'm sorry for being on at you about it, but I need an answer soon.
See also: on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be on at someone

nag or grumble at someone. British informal
See also: on, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be/go/keep ˈon at somebody (to do something)

(informal, disapproving) keep criticizing somebody or telling them what to do, etc: He keeps on at her all the time about her smoking.
See also: go, keep, on, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
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