SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

egg on

phrasal verb

Definition of egg on

: to urge or encourage (someone) to do something that is usually foolish or dangerous

He continued to take off his clothes while the crowd egged him on.

Word by Word Definitions

egg play

: the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken
: an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence
: ovum

: to incite to action

: to cover with egg
: to pelt with eggs

See the full definition of egg

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