insist on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Demand something firmly without accepting refusal

Why “on”? A person holds firmly to a demand, rule, or status and refuses to change.

He insists on paying.
He says firmly that he will pay and will not accept no.
Mum insists on walking us home after dark.
Mum says firmly that she must walk us home after dark.

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He insists on paying. What does it mean?

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