Phrasal Verbs With ‘Chew’, Meaning and Examples

Learning English can be a bit like chewing gum – sometimes it’s easy to get stuck! But fear not; this article will help you sink your teeth into the fascinating world of phrasal verbs, with a focus on the word ‘chew‘ [tʃuː]. Phrasal verbs are essential for mastering the English language, and ‘chew’ has its own unique set of expressions that you can start using in everyday conversation.

TOP 16 phrasal verbs with Chew

Let’s look at the 16 most popular phrasal verbs with “chew”, as well as their meanings and examples:

1. Chew on

• Meaning: To think deeply or carefully about something.
• Example: I need some time to chew on the decision before I make up my mind.

2. Chew out

• Meaning: To scold or reprimand someone angrily.
• Example: The teacher chewed out the student for not doing their homework.

3. Chew up

• Meaning: To destroy or damage something, usually by chewing or biting.
• Example: My puppy chewed up my favorite pair of shoes.

4. Chew the fat

• Meaning: To have a casual and friendly conversation with someone.
• Example: We sat on the porch, chewing the fat about our childhood memories.

5. Chew the scenery

• Meaning: To overact, especially in a theatrical or dramatic manner.
• Example: The actor really chewed the scenery in that play, drawing all the attention.

6. Chew over

• Meaning: To think about or discuss something thoroughly.
• Example: We should chew over the details of the project before our next meeting.

7. Chew through

• Meaning: To eat or cut through something with the teeth or jaws.
• Example: Rats chewed through the electrical wiring, causing a power outage.

8. Chew the cud

• Meaning: A literal expression used to describe the digestive process of some animals, like cows, that regurgitate and re-chew their food.
• Example: Cows chew the cud as part of their digestive system.

9. Chew someone’s ear off

• Meaning: To talk excessively or bore someone with lengthy conversation.
• Example: My aunt always chews my ear off about her gardening adventures.

10. Chew on a bone

• Meaning: To dwell on a problem or issue.
• Example: I can’t stop chewing on the issue of climate change; it’s always on my mind.

11. Chew through

• Meaning: To persevere or overcome a challenging situation.
• Example: Despite the difficulties, he managed to chew through all the coursework and graduate.

12. Chew down

• Meaning: To eat something quickly or voraciously.
• Example: After the long hike, I chewed down a huge burger in no time.

13. Chew over (something) with (someone)

• Meaning: To discuss or consider something in detail with someone.
• Example: I need to chew over the contract with my lawyer before signing it.

14. Chew (something) off

• Meaning: To remove something by biting or gnawing.
• Example: The beaver chewed off the tree branch to build its dam.

15. Chew up and spit out

• Meaning: To defeat or deal with someone or something easily and decisively.
• Example: The team chewed up and spat out their competition, winning every match in the tournament.

16. Chew up

• Meaning: Cut into small pieces with your teeth or damage something inside a machine.
• Example: The puppy chewed up the newspaper
• Example: The video chewed  my tape up

These phrasal verbs with ‘chew’ encompass a wide range of meanings and applications. By understanding and using them in context, you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively in various situations. By understanding these ‘chew’ phrasal verbs, you’ll not only improve your English language skills but also sound more like a native speaker. Phrasal verbs are an integral part of everyday English conversation, and they often convey subtle meanings that can’t be achieved with single words.