discourse on

discourse (up)on (something)

To talk about something at length. If he discourses about this abstract theory any longer, I'm going to fall asleep. I know the basics of photosynthesis, sure, but I wouldn't be able to discourse upon it or anything. I studied American modernism in college, so I'd be happy to discourse on Eliot's poetry.

See also: discourse

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

discourse (up)on

someone or something to lecture about someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I would like to discourse upon this matter awhile. The committee chose to discourse on Tom and his latest fiasco rather than deal with the budgetary problems it faces.

See also: discourse, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.