The phrase "shovelling it in" is commonly used to describe someone who is eating quickly and greedily. The phonetic transcription of this phrase is /ˈʃʌv.lɪŋ ɪt ɪn/. The first syllable, "shuv", is pronounced with a short u sound, followed by a voiceless v sound. The second syllable, "ling", is pronounced with a short i sound and an ng sound. The last part, "it in", is pronounced with a short i and a voiced n sound. Together, these sounds make up the pronunciation of "shovelling it in".
The phrase "shovelling it in" refers to the act of eating quickly and greedily without paying much attention to the food being consumed. It is a colloquial expression used to describe the hasty and unthinking manner in which someone approaches their meal. The term "shovelling" brings to mind the action of using a shovel to quickly move a large quantity of material, like snow or dirt, from one place to another. Similarly, when someone is said to be "shovelling it in," they are eating in a similar hurried and mindless manner, disregarding the taste, texture, or quality of the food.
This expression often connotes a lack of appreciation or enjoyment of the meal, as well as a potential disregard for basic table manners. It suggests that the individual is simply consuming food for the sake of satiating hunger rather than deriving pleasure or nourishment from the eating experience. "Shovelling it in" can also imply a lack of mindfulness about portion control or health considerations, as the focus is instead on consuming as much food as possible in the shortest amount of time.
Overall, "shovelling it in" is a colorful metaphorical phrase utilized to depict a person consuming food quickly, unceremoniously, and without much regard for the culinary experience or etiquette.