chip

*chip on one's shoulder

Fig. a bad attitude that tends to get someone easily upset. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give one ~.) Why did you get so angry at the slightest criticism? You seem to have a chip on your shoulder.

See also: shoulder

bargaining chip

Fig. something to be used (traded) in negotiations. I want to use their refusal to meet our terms as a bargaining chip in future negotiations. I need to have a few bargaining chips ready when we get down to drawing up the contract.

See also: bargain

chip (away) at something

to break off tiny pieces of something little by little. The mason chipped away at the bricks. He chipped at the block of marble gently.

chip something away (from something)

to break off tiny pieces of something. Many years of heavy use chipped the marble steps away. Someone chipped away little bits of the marble from that step.

See also: away

chip away

[for something] to break off or break away in small chips. The edges of the marble step chipped away over the years. Some of the stone figures had chipped away so badly that we couldn't see what they were.

See also: away

chip in (on something) and chip something in (on something)

1. to contribute a small amount of money to a fund that will be used to buy something. Could you chip in a dollar on the gift, please?

2. chip in (on something) (for someone) to contribute money toward a gift for someone. Would you please chip in on the present for Richard? Will you chip in for Randy?

chip in (with something) (on something) (for someone) and chip in (with something) (for something) (for someone); chip something in (on something) (for someone)

to contribute money for a gift for someone. Would you like to chip in with a little cash on a gift for Carol? I will chip in a little with you on a gift for Carol. Would you chip in with a few bucks for a gift for Carol? Would you chip a few bucks in on a gift for Carol? Would you care to chip in on a gift for the teacher? Yes, I'd be happy to chip in.

chip off the old block

Fig. a person (usually a male) who behaves in the same way as his father or resembles his father. John looks like his father—a real chip off the old block. Bill Jones, Jr., is a chip off the old block. He's a banker just like his father.

See also: block, old

chips and dip

potato chips, or some other kind of crisp snack food, and a sauce or dressing to dip them into before eating them. There were tons of chips and dip and all kinds of cold drinks available for everyone.

See also: and, dip

cow chip and cow pie; cow patty; cow flop

Inf. a piece of cow manure. The pioneers didn't have much wood, so they burned dried cow chips. How did that big ol' cow pie get in the middle of my flower bed? Tom slipped on a cow patty.

See also: cow

in the chips

Fig. wealthy; having lots of money. (Having lots of gambling chips.) I'm in the chips this month. Let's go squander it. If I were in the chips, I'd buy a Rolls Royce.

Let the chips fall where they may.

Prov. Let something happen regardless of the consequences and no matter what happens. I'm going to tell Ellen the truth about her husband, let the chips fall where they may. Kathy decided to risk her money on the investment, and let the chips fall where they may.

See also: fall, let, may

when the chips are down

Fig. at the final, critical moment; when things really get difficult. When the chips are down, I know that I can depend on Jean to help out. I knew you would come and help when the chips were down.

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a bargaining chip  (British, American & Australian) also a bargaining counter (British)

something that you can use to make someone do what you want The workers' strongest bargaining chip in the negotiations is the threat of strike action. Hostages were used as a bargaining counter during the seige.

See also: bargain

a chip off the old block

if someone is a chip off the old block, they are very similar in character to one of their parents or to another older member of their family (not used with the ) Look at her bossing everyone around - she's a real chip off the old block!

See also: block, old

be in the chips  (American informal)

if someone is in the chips, they have suddenly got a lot of money Apparently his uncle's left him everything, so he's really in the chips.

call/cash in your chips 

1. (humorous) to die He cashed in his chips shortly before his ninetieth birthday.

2. to sell things that you own, especially shares (= parts of a business), because you need some money

Usage notes: Chips are the round pieces of plastic that are used in some games played for money.

I think it's time to cash in our chips. It's the only way we can pay the bill.

See also: call

have a chip on your shoulder

to blame other people for something bad which has happened to you and to continue to be angry about it so that it affects the way you behave (often + about ) Even though he went to university, he's always had a chip on his shoulder about his poor upbringing.

See also: have, shoulder

have had your chips 

1. (British informal) if you have had your chips, something bad is going to happen to you, usually a punishment for something bad you have done When the police knocked on his door early in the morning, he knew he'd had his chips.

2. (British informal) to miss an opportunity to achieve something you want John's had his chips. I gave him the chance of a promotion and he threw it away.

See also: had, have

have had its chips  (informal)

something that has had its chips is going to end because it is not wanted or needed any more It looks as though the mainframe computer has had its chips.

See also: had, have

let the chips fall where they may  (American)

to do something without worrying about the effects of your actions She promised to ask a series of questions in her interview and let the chips fall where they may.

See also: fall, let, may

spit nails  (American & Australian informal) also spit chips/tacks (Australian informal)

to speak or behave in a way that shows you are very angry He was spitting nails when he saw what had happened to his car.

See also: nail, spit

when the chips are down

when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation, especially one which tests whether you can trust people or which shows people's true opinions When the chips are down, you need people around you that you can depend on. When the chips were down, she found she didn't really love him as much as she thought.

See let the chips fall where they may, spit nails

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a chip off the old block

someone who is similar in character to their father or mother She enjoys bossing people around just like her mother used to do - she's a real chip off the old block!

See also: block, old

a chip on your shoulder

a tendency to be easily angered or upset He always acted as if he was better than us and went around with a chip on his shoulder.

See also: shoulder

chip in (something)

to pay for part of something with other people They each chipped in $50 to take their parents out to dinner at a fine restaurant.

let the chips fall (where they may)

to not worry about the effects of your actions We just try to enforce the law fairly and let the chips fall where they may.

See also: fall, let

when the chips are down

when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation When the chips are down, you need people around you that you can depend on. He's like that special best friend from high school you go to when the chips are down.