What it means
Talking nonstop in a way that’s annoying, pointless, or just way too much. Comes from a little dog’s yap, that sharp, constant bark, so it paints a picture straight away. Can be harmless nattering, but it’s usually a dig at someone waffling, moaning, or giving a running commentary when everyone else is trying to crack on, and you want them to shut it for a minute.
Usage examples
"Mate, stop yapping and give us a hand, yeah? We’ve been stuck on this sofa for ages and you’re still chatting rubbish."
"She was yapping on the phone the whole train journey, everyone could hear about her cousin's divorce."
"Less yapping, more graft, lads, the van's not going to load itself before the rain comes in."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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