The phrasal verb "dwell on" is predominantly used in informal contexts. It commonly appears in casual conversations, self-help advice, and discussions surrounding mental health or emotional well-being. Typically, it connotes spending an excessive amount of time thinking or talking about something, especially a problem or something negative, and often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting unproductive rumination. It can be used to gently advise someone to move on from a troubling issue, as in "Don't dwell on the past, let's move forward." Usage in formal contexts is limited, and when it does appear, it usually retains its advisory or evaluative nature, often emphasizing the need to focus on present or future actions rather than rehashing previous difficulties.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To spend a lot of time thinking or talking about something, especially something bad or unpleasant.
She tends to dwell on her mistakes instead of moving on.
Don't dwell on past failures; focus on your future successes.