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belabour

/bi'leibə/
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Word: Belabour (British English) / Belabor (American English)

Definition:
The verb "belabour" means to criticize someone harshly, often repeatedly, or to talk about something in a way that is overly detailed or excessive. It can also refer to physically hitting something, but this meaning is less common.

Usage Instructions:
  • Form: Belabour is a verb and can be used in various tenses (e.g., belabours, belaboured, belabouring).
  • Context: It is often used in contexts where someone is being overly criticized or when a point is being emphasized too much in conversation.
Examples:
  1. Criticism: "After the mistake in the project, the manager belaboured the team during the meeting."
  2. Excessive Detail: "He tends to belabour his points in discussions, making them longer than necessary."
Advanced Usage:
  • Belabor the Obvious: This phrase means to explain something that is already clear or obvious, often in a way that is unnecessary. For example, "The teacher belabored the obvious facts about the subject, which bored the students."
Word Variants:
  • Belabour: British English spelling.
  • Belabor: American English spelling.
  • Belabouring / Belaboring: The present participle forms.
Different Meanings:
  1. Physical Meaning: To hit or beat repeatedly, though this usage is rare.
  2. Criticism/Excessive Detail: Most commonly used in contexts involving verbal attacks or excessive elaboration.
Synonyms:
  • Criticize
  • Harangue
  • Berate
  • Overemphasize
  • Dwell on
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • Belabour a point: This means to insist on discussing a particular point far too long.
  • Beat a dead horse: This idiom means to keep talking about something that has already been decided or is no longer relevant, similar to belaboring a point.
Conclusion:

"Belabour" is a versatile verb primarily used to describe situations of harsh criticism or unnecessary elaboration.

Verb
  1. attack verbally with harsh criticism
    • She was belabored by her fellow students
  2. beat soundly
  3. to work at or to absurd length
    • belabor the obvious

Synonyms

Similar Spellings

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