Belabour

To discuss or explain something in excessive detail or to reiterate a point so often that it becomes tedious. The term often suggests that the speaker or writer is unnecessarily prolonging the conversation or argument, detracting from the original purpose or message. It can also imply an overemphasis on a specific topic, leading to frustration among listeners or readers.

Belabour meaning with examples

• In the meeting, James belaboured the company's budget issues, going over the same figures multiple times, which bored many of his colleagues and led to disengagement. His focus on the minutiae overshadowed the more pressing business decisions that needed to be made.
• During her lecture, the professor belaboured the importance of citation practices, repeating the guidelines several times. While it’s crucial information, the excessive focus caused students to lose interest in other equally important topics that were swiftly addressed afterward.
• The author belaboured the theme of isolation in her novel, with characters constantly reflecting on their solitude. While the topic is significant, the repetitive exploration lessened the overall impact and left some readers wanting a more nuanced portrayal.
• In his presentation, Mark belaboured the environmental impacts of the plan, going into unnecessary detail that his audience had already grasped. As a result, the key points got lost amid the overwhelming data, undermine the urgency of the issue.
• At the debate, the candidate belaboured his opponent's past mistakes rather than discussing his platform. This tactic backfired as the audience grew tired of hearing the same accusations, eager instead for fresh ideas and forward-thinking solutions.