clap on meaning: definition, quotations

clap on

verb

Nautical, Transport To temporarily add something to an existing part, especially to add an additional sail to take advantage of a fair wind.

We spring out of our berths, clap on a monkey-jacket and south-wester, and tumble up the ladder.1840, R[ichard] H[enry] D[ana], Jr., “CHAPTER XXXV”, in Two Years before the Mast. […] (Harper’s Family Library; no. CVI), New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers […], →OCLC:

To encourage by (or as if by) applauding.

UK, Colloquial To talk at tedious length; to whinge.

[…] clapping on about having to live on a small income because of her son's lack of ambition.2020, Dorothy Cannell, Murder at Mullings:

US, Dated, Slang To decide to make a concerted effort to do something; to operate with dedication and vigor.