carry on

1) PHRASAL VERB If you carry on doing something, you continue to do it.

[V P -ing] The assistant carried on talking...

[V P -ing] Rachael Carr intends to carry on teaching...

[V P with n] Her bravery has given him the will to carry on with his life and his work...

[V P n (not pron)] His eldest son Joseph carried on his father's traditions...

[V P] `Do you mind if I just start with the few formal questions please?' - `Carry on.'

Syn:

continue

2) PHRASAL VERB If you carry on an activity, you do it or take part in it for a period of time.

[V P n (not pron)] The consulate will carry on a political dialogue with Indonesia...

[V P n (not pron)] He carried on a passionate affair with Mrs Gilbert.

Syn:

conduct

3) PHRASAL VERB (disapproval) If you say that someone is carrying on, you are irritated with them because they are talking very excitedly and saying a lot of unnecessary things. [INFORMAL]

[V P] She was yelling and screaming and carrying on...

[V P about n] He was carrying on about some stupid television series.

Syn:

make a fuss

4) PHRASAL VERB: usu cont (disapproval) If you say that someone is carrying on with someone else, you mean that they are having a sexual relationship and you do not approve of this, usually because one or both of them is married. [INFORMAL]

[V P with n] Every week a fresh scandal emerges about ministers carrying on with film actresses and call girls. [Also V P]

Syn:

have an affair