Meaning trap
carry on
behave emotionally
To behave in an uncontrolled, emotional, or foolish way, often by complaining, making a fuss, or showing excessive emotion.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To behave in an uncontrolled, emotional, or foolish way, often by complaining, making a fuss, or showing excessive emotion.
'carry on' also has the more basic meaning 'continue'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- She started carrying on about how unfair everything was, even though it was just a minor inconvenience.emotions
- While some people may carry on about minor issues in public, others prefer to remain composed and address their concerns privately.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: carry on (about something) | carry on (like a child)
WrongShe carried on at the bad news.
RightShe carried on about the bad news. / She made a fuss about it.
In this fussing sense it's 'carry on ABOUT something'; 'carry on' alone just means continue.
Patterncarry on (about something) | carry on (like a child)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Carry on' (BrE) compactly means make a fuss or behave dramatically; the formal paraphrase is flat.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
carry on (about)about itlike thatsomething terribledon't
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic sense of 'carry on' meaning 'to continue', this sense is about someone reacting emotionally or making a scene, not simply persisting with an activity.
Related
- carry on (continue) — 'carry on' also has the more basic meaning 'continue'; this is the advanced sense.