CHEW Meaning and
Definition
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Chew is a verb that refers to the action of crushing or grinding food in the mouth with the teeth in order to make it easier to swallow and digest. This process is an essential part of the digestion process in animals, including humans.
When chewing, the teeth make a repetitive motion of opening and closing, while the muscles in the jaw help to break down the food into smaller pieces. The act of chewing also stimulates the production of saliva which aids in the moistening and softening of the food, making it easier to swallow.
Chewing is not limited to only food. It can also be used to describe the action of biting or grinding something in the mouth repeatedly, such as chewing gum or a pencil. In these cases, it serves as a way to exercise the jaw muscles or alleviate stress.
Chew can also be used as a noun to refer to the act of chewing, as in "give it a good chew before swallowing." Additionally, it can be used to describe the texture of food, such as when a steak is described as tough or difficult to chew.
Overall, chewing is a fundamental process in the digestive system that allows for the breakdown and preparation of food for further digestion and absorption.
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To masticate, to comminute with the teeth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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To crush with the teeth; to masticate.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CHEW
Etymology of CHEW
The word "chew" originated from the Old English word "ceowan" or "ceawian", which meant "to bite" or "to chew". It is related to the Old High German word "kauwan" and the Middle High German word "küewen", both meaning "to chew". These Germanic words can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "*kauwanan", which also gave rise to other words related to chewing in various Germanic languages.
Idioms with the word CHEW
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chew the fat
The idiom "chew the fat" is defined as engaging in a casual and relaxed conversation or friendly chat, often about inconsequential or trivial matters. It implies a leisurely and light-hearted interaction, typically involving gossiping or exchanging anecdotes without any particular aim or serious discussion.
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chew the cud
The idiom "chew the cud" refers to the act of carefully contemplating or thinking over something, similar to how a cow chews its cud slowly and thoroughly before fully digesting it. It implies taking time to reflect or ponder deeply on a particular topic or issue before reaching a conclusion or making a decision.
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walk and chew gum (at the same time)
The idiom "walk and chew gum (at the same time)" refers to a person's ability to perform two or more tasks simultaneously. It typically implies someone who can handle multiple responsibilities or actions without difficulty or confusion. It suggests the ability to multitask efficiently and effectively.
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chew sb's ass (out)
The idiom "chew sb's ass (out)" is a colloquial expression that means to scold, reprimand, or reprove someone severely or angrily. It typically involves berating someone for their actions, behavior, or mistakes in a harsh manner. The phrase often conveys a sense of strong and direct criticism.
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chew one's cud
The idiom "chew one's cud" refers to deep thinking or pondering over something, similar to how a cow regurgitates its food, chews it, and swallows it again. This idiom suggests someone taking time to reflect or consider a situation or problem before coming to a conclusion or making a decision.
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chew on sm or sth
The idiom "chew on something" means to carefully and thoughtfully consider or contemplate something. It refers to the act of chewing food, where our jaws move slowly and deliberately to process and understand what we are eating. Similarly, when we "chew on something" metaphorically, we are taking the time to fully understand, analyze, and think deeply about a specific idea, concept, or situation.
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chew sth up
The idiom "chew sth up" typically means to destroy or ruin something, especially by tearing or shredding it into pieces. It can also refer to causing excessive wear or damage to something. Additionally, it might be used figuratively to describe someone overpowering or defeating someone else in a competition or conflict.
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chew sth over
The idiom "chew something over" means to think carefully and thoroughly about something before making a decision or forming an opinion. It suggests the idea of mentally mulling over something, just like chewing food thoroughly before swallowing.
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chew sm out
The idiom "chew someone out" means to scold, reprimand, or criticize someone harshly and angrily. It refers to a situation where someone is being spoken to in a severe and reproachful manner, often with raised voices and a display of anger or frustration. It typically implies that the person being "chewed out" has done something wrong or has behaved inappropriately, leading to the intense criticism.
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chew sm or sth up
The idiom "chew sm or sth up" generally means to consume or destroy something quickly and thoroughly, typically with intensity or aggression. It can refer to physical consumption or figuratively describe a situation where someone or something is overwhelmed or defeated.
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walk and chew gum
The idiom "walk and chew gum" refers to the ability to multitask or handle multiple tasks or responsibilities at the same time. It implies someone's capacity to perform basic or simple tasks simultaneously without getting overwhelmed or making mistakes.
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chew out
The idiom "chew out" typically means to scold or reprimand someone severely, often expressing anger or displeasure.
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chew over
The idiom "chew over" means to think about or consider something carefully, often for an extended period of time, before making a decision or coming to a conclusion. It implies a mental process of thoroughly examining and pondering a matter.
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chew the rag
The idiom "chew the rag" means to engage in a lengthy and casual conversation or discussion with someone, often involving gossip or unimportant topics. It implies a relaxed and informal exchange of words, typically devoid of any serious or meaningful content.
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chew (one's) ass (out)
The idiom "chew (one's) ass (out)" is an informal and vulgar expression that means to scold, reprimand, or criticize someone intensely and severely. It implies receiving a thorough and verbal dressing-down, often due to one's mistakes, poor performance, or misconduct.
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chew someone’s ass out
The idiom "chew someone's ass out" means to scold or reprimand someone harshly and passionately, usually for making a mistake, being disrespectful, or failing to meet expectations. It implies being verbally admonished with intense criticism or anger.
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chew someone's ass
The idiom "chew someone's ass" is a colloquial expression typically used to describe scolding, reprimanding, or criticizing someone severely or angrily. It implies berating someone in a harsh and confrontational manner, often with feelings of frustration or disapproval.
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chew your ass
The idiom "chew your ass" is considered an informal, slang phrase. However, it generally means to criticize, scold, or reprimand someone harshly or aggressively. It conveys the idea of someone being sternly and aggressively questioned or admonished.
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chew (one) out
The idiom "chew (one) out" means to severely reprimand or scold someone for their behavior or actions. It implies speaking to someone in an angry or admonishing manner, typically with raised voices and harsh words.
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chew at
The idiom "chew at" refers to intensely thinking or pondering about something, usually a problem or a difficult situation. It denotes the act of mulling over a particular topic, trying to find a solution or understanding for it by mentally working through it in detail.
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chew cud
The idiom "chew cud" refers to a process where someone deeply thinks about or meditates upon something, similar to how a cow chews its cud by slowly and thoroughly masticating food. It implies a slow and deliberate contemplation of a thought or idea.
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chew on
The idiom "chew on" means to think about or consider something carefully or at length. It suggests the idea of mentally digesting or pondering a concept or idea.
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chew on (something)
The idiom "chew on (something)" typically means to carefully think about or consider something, pondering it thoroughly before making a decision or forming an opinion.
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chew someone out
The idiom "chew someone out" means to scold, criticize, or reprimand someone sternly or angrily. It refers to a situation where someone receives a harsh verbal reprimand or a strongly worded scolding for their actions or behavior.
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chew something over
The idiom "chew something over" means to think about or contemplate something carefully and at length before making a decision or taking action. It implies the act of mentally processing information or ideas, similar to how one would chew food thoroughly.
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chew the/(one's) cud
The idiom "chew the/(one's) cud" refers to a person deep in thought or reflection, repeatedly considering or analyzing a topic or situation. It originated from the literal act of ruminant animals, such as cows or goats, chewing their cud, which involves regurgitating partially digested food to further break it down for better digestion. In the context of the idiom, it implies taking time to thoroughly reflect and contemplate on a particular matter.
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chew up
The idiom "chew up" refers to the act of damaging or destroying something, either literally or metaphorically, often with force or aggression. It can also imply consuming or using something quickly and thoroughly.
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chew on someone or something
The idiom "chew on someone or something" means to think or ponder over someone or something, usually pertaining to a problem, situation, or difficult decision. It implies deep contemplation and analysis, similar to how one chews on food slowly and thoroughly.
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chew the fat (or rag)
The idiom "chew the fat" or "chew the rag" refers to engaging in casual conversation or small talk, often characterized by an extended and leisurely exchange of stories, gossip, or ideas. It involves casual banter or chit-chat between friends or acquaintances.
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chew someone or something up
The idiom "chew someone or something up" means to severely criticize, blame, or find fault with someone or something. It implies a strong and negative judgement or evaluation, often resulting in the person or thing being metaphorically "consumed" or overwhelmed by the criticism.
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chew something up
"Chew something up" is an idiom that means to consume or devour something by biting and grinding it with the teeth, often in a vigorous or forceful manner. However, when used metaphorically, it means to deal with or handle something in a harsh or aggressive manner, causing damage or destruction. It can also refer to overpowering or overwhelming someone or something.
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mad enough to chew nails
When someone is "mad enough to chew nails," it implies that they are extremely angry, furious, or enraged. It emphasizes the intensity of one's anger, suggesting that they are so irate that they could resort to even further extreme actions.
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chew (away) at (something)
The idiom "chew (away) at (something)" means to persistently and slowly work on or tackle a problem, task, or challenge. It implies continuously and steadily making progress or efforts towards achieving a goal, despite facing difficulties or setbacks.
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bite off more than one can chew
The idiom "bite off more than one can chew" means to take on or attempt to do more than one is capable of handling or managing successfully. It implies overestimating one's abilities, being overwhelmed by the task at hand, or getting into a situation that is difficult to handle.
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chew the scenery
The idiom "chew the scenery" refers to the act of excessively or dramatically overacting, often characterized by exaggerated gestures, facial expressions, or vocal intonations. It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is trying to steal the spotlight or draw excessive attention to themselves.
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chew it finer
The idiom "chew it finer" means to think or analyze something more thoroughly or carefully. It implies the need to examine or consider a situation in greater detail or with more attention.
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chew up the scenery
The idiom "chew up the scenery" refers to an overacting or excessively dramatic performance, where an actor or performer delivers their lines and actions with exaggerated gestures, loud voice, and excessive energy, often drawing excessive attention to themselves. It can also describe someone who excessively dominates or hogs the spotlight in any situation, not just related to acting.
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mad enough to chew nails (and spit rivets)
The idiom "mad enough to chew nails (and spit rivets)" is used to describe someone who is extremely angry or furious. The phrase emphasizes the intense level of anger the person is experiencing, comparing it to the act of chewing nails (which is not only physically impossible but also highly unpleasant) and spitting rivets (small metal fasteners used in construction).
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chew (away) at sth
The idiom "chew (away) at something" refers to someone persistently working on or trying to solve a problem or achieve a goal. It implies a continuous effort or a determined focus on a particular task or issue. Much like how a person chews on food, this idiom suggests that someone is mentally or emotionally engaged in dealing with something in a persistent and diligent manner.
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chew away
The idiom "chew away" refers to persistently and diligently working on a task or problem, often with determination and patience. It suggests the continuous effort spent on a particular activity, similar to the act of physically chewing something repeatedly.
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bite off more than you can chew
The idiom "bite off more than you can chew" means to take on or attempt to do more than one is capable of handling or managing. It implies overestimating one's abilities or resources and encountering difficulties or failures as a result.
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bite off more than can chew
The idiom "bite off more than can chew" means to take on more responsibilities or tasks than one is capable of handling. It refers to the act of overcommitting oneself or taking on a task that exceeds one's abilities or resources.
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chew on the scenery
The idiom "chew on the scenery" refers to someone, typically an actor or performer, who excessively and ostentatiously overacts or exaggerates their performance, often by making grandiose gestures, speaking loudly and dramatically, or melodramatically dominating the stage or scene. It can also imply someone who is excessively theatrical or attention-seeking in general. The phrase conveys the idea of someone metaphorically "gnawing" or "devouring" the scenery, thereby drawing excessive focus and attention to themselves.
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chew one's own tobacco
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chew sth off sth
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chew sth away
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chew ass
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chew face
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chew off
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chew own tobacco
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chew the
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chew the cheese
Chewing the cheese is an idiom that refers to overthinking or excessively analyzing a situation. It can also mean to talk about something in depth or at length.
Similar spelling words for CHEW
- Chau,
- chi,
- Cho,
- chow,
- chui,
- Che,
- CHEE,
- CHIU,
- Chai,
- chews,
- Chae,
- choi,
- choy,
- chaw,
- Chu,
- CHEA,
- chewy,
- Cha,
- chef,
- chou,
- chewa,
- choe,
- chua,
- Chia,
- chao,
- crew,
- ch'i.
Conjugate verb Chew
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have chewed
you
would have chewed
he/she/it
would have chewed
we
would have chewed
they
would have chewed
I
would have chew
you
would have chew
he/she/it
would have chew
we
would have chew
they
would have chew
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been chewing
you
would have been chewing
he/she/it
would have been chewing
we
would have been chewing
they
would have been chewing
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would chew
you
would chew
he/she/it
would chew
we
would chew
they
would chew
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be chewing
you
would be chewing
he/she/it
would be chewing
we
would be chewing
they
would be chewing
FUTURE
I
will chew
you
will chew
he/she/it
will chew
we
will chew
they
will chew
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be chewing
you
will be chewing
he/she/it
will be chewing
we
will be chewing
they
will be chewing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have chewed
you
will have chewed
he/she/it
will have chewed
we
will have chewed
they
will have chewed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been chewing
you
will have been chewing
he/she/it
will have been chewing
we
will have been chewing
they
will have been chewing
IMPERATIVE
you
chew
we
let´s chew
to chew
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was chewing
you
were chewing
he/she/it
was chewing
we
were chewing
they
were chewing
PAST PARTICIPLE
chewed
PAST PERFECT
I
had chewed
you
had chewed
he/she/it
had chewed
we
had chewed
they
had chewed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been chewing
you
had been chewing
he/she/it
had been chewing
we
had been chewing
they
had been chewing
PRESENT
I
chew
you
chew
he/she/it
chews
we
chew
they
chew
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am chewing
you
are chewing
he/she/it
is chewing
we
are chewing
they
are chewing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
chewing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have chewed
you
have chewed
he/she/it
has chewed
we
have chewed
they
have chewed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been chewing
you
have been chewing
he/she/it
has been chewing
we
have been chewing
they
have been chewing
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
chew
SIMPLE PAST
I
chewed
you
chewed
he/she/it
chewed
we
chewed
they
chewed
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