Chew Meaning
Chew Definition & Usage
To bite and grind food with the teeth, typically to soften it before swallowing.
Examples
- "She chewed on her sandwich slowly, savoring every bite."
- "He chewed a pencil nervously during the meeting."
- "The dog chewed the bone for hours, clearly enjoying it."
- "After dinner, he chewed on a mint to freshen his breath."
- "The baby was still learning to chew solid foods."
To think over or consider something carefully, often in a way that involves repetitive mental engagement.
Examples
- "She chewed over the idea of moving to a new city for weeks before making a decision."
- "I need some time to chew on what you said before I give you an answer."
- "He chewed on the problem for a long time but couldn't find a solution."
- "Let me chew on that proposal for a while and get back to you."
- "The lawyer chewed over the contract terms, making sure everything was in order."
To talk excessively or endlessly, often in a boring or repetitive manner.
Examples
- "She just kept chewing my ear off about her new project."
- "Stop chewing my ear off and let me get some work done!"
- "He chewed my ear off for an hour about his vacation plans."
- "They were chewing each other’s ears off, discussing the latest gossip."
- "I don’t need you to chew my ear off about the same problem over and over."
Cultural Context
The word 'chew' originates from the Old English 'ceowan', which is related to chewing or grinding food. Its figurative uses, such as 'chewing over an idea' or 'chewing someone's ear off', are more recent developments. The act of chewing is universal across cultures and is a central part of human eating habits, but the metaphorical uses show the flexibility of the word in expressing both mental and social actions.
The Longest Chew
Story
The Longest Chew
It was a bright, sunny afternoon when Emily sat in the park, her sandwich in hand. As she bit into it, she chewed slowly, savoring each bite. The bread was soft, and the vegetables crisp, making it the perfect lunch. Nearby, an old man on a bench seemed to be chewing on his own thoughts, staring at the birds in the trees. Emily noticed him tapping his fingers on the bench, lost in deep thought. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, smiling at him. The old man looked up, startled. He laughed lightly, his eyes twinkling. "Just chewing on some ideas. I'm thinking of writing a letter to my grandson. I haven't done it in a while, and I wonder what he'd think of it." Emily nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I need to chew on a decision for days before I'm sure about it." As she finished her sandwich, she stood up and stretched, but the old man continued to sit, chewing over the possibilities. Just then, a friend walked by and waved at him, but the old man didn't notice. Emily, noticing the look of concentration on his face, smiled again. "You really do chew things over thoroughly, don't you?" she teased. The man smiled, finally glancing her way. "I guess I do. My mind just works that way." He chuckled, adding, "I hope I don’t chew your ear off talking about it." Emily laughed as she walked away, the sun warming her face. She realized that sometimes the things we chew on, whether food or thoughts, stay with us long after we've moved on. Maybe that was just the way of life – always chewing, always thinking, always processing.
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