carrying-on: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, often colloquial, with a disapproving or humorous tone.
Quick answer
What does “carrying-on” mean?
Disruptive or unseemly behavior, often involving emotional excess or mischief.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Disruptive or unseemly behavior, often involving emotional excess or mischief.
Excessive or emotional behavior; fuss, commotion, or activity, often in a disapproving context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English, but fully understood in American English. In American English, it can sound slightly old-fashioned or deliberately British.
Connotations
Strong connotation of emotional, chaotic, or attention-seeking behavior in both varieties.
Frequency
Higher frequency in BrE, especially in spoken language.
Grammar
How to Use “carrying-on” in a Sentence
[determiner] carrying-onVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically to describe unprofessional office drama ('We can't afford all this emotional carrying-on').
Academic
Extremely rare. Not suitable for formal academic prose.
Everyday
Common in spoken, informal contexts to complain about noisy, emotional, or disruptive behavior.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carrying-on”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carrying-on”
- Using it as a verb ('He is carrying-on'). Incorrect; the noun is hyphenated.
- Confusing it with the verb phrase 'to carry on' (to continue).
- Pluralizing incorrectly ('carryings-on'). Although possible, the singular form 'carrying-on' is used for both singular and plural ideas.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hyphenated, compound noun. The verb is the two-word phrase 'to carry on'.
It is usually treated as uncountable ('all this carrying-on'). The traditional plural 'carryings-on' is rare and archaic.
No. It is informal and often used to express disapproval or amusement.
Yes, it is understood, but it is perceived as more British and can sound quaint or deliberately stylistic.
Disruptive or unseemly behavior, often involving emotional excess or mischief.
Carrying-on: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkæriɪŋ ˈɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkæriɪŋ ˈɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stop all this carrying-on!”
- “What's all this carrying-on about?”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone CARRYING ON (continuing) with loud, dramatic behavior until everyone tells them to stop.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR IS AN UNWANTED BURDEN (carrying)
Practice
Quiz
What does 'carrying-on' typically express?