Chattering classes - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

chatter (away) (at someone or something)

1. Lit. to talk incessantly or noisily to or at someone or something. The parrot was chattering away at its reflection in the mirror. The kids were chattering away, Stop chattering at me!

2. Fig. [for a small animal, such as a squirrel] to try to scare off someone or something. The little squirrel chattered away at the crow. The crow came close and the squirrel chattered away again.

chatter about someone or something

to talk idly and actively about someone or something. All the guests were chattering about something or other. People are chattering about you and Claire. Do you want to know what they are saying?

chatter from something

[for one's teeth] to shake noisily with a chill from the cold, the dampness, a fever, etc. My teeth were chattering from the extreme cold. It was a terrible illness. My teeth chattered from the chills that followed the fever.

the chattering classes (British humorous)

educated people who like to discuss and give their opinions about political and social matters Football has recently become a trendy topic among the chattering classes.

? References in periodicals archive
When I first read the essay, I expected Shilling to encounter high dudgeon, the opprobrium of the chattering classes or, at the very least, knee-jerk, bleeding-heart tirades in The New York Times. All hail the upper crust: as one economist sees it, we should all ... by Queenan, Joe / Chief Executive (U.S.) Expressions of disappointment and outrage over President Bush's so-called immigration reform plan which would legalize millions of illegal aliens already in the United States, as well as invite millions more to come--have erupted from the chattering classes that have provided the president's most unswerving support: radio talk-show hosts and political columnists. Bush amnesty plan angers GOP faithful by Japer, William F. / The New American Much to the frustration of the chattering classes, the author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit won every one. Tolkien: Wizard of words by Coren, Michael / Catholic Insight More results

? References in periodicals archive

When I first read the essay, I expected Shilling to encounter high dudgeon, the opprobrium of the chattering classes or, at the very least, knee-jerk, bleeding-heart tirades in The New York Times.

All hail the upper crust: as one economist sees it, we should all ... by Queenan, Joe / Chief Executive (U.S.)

Expressions of disappointment and outrage over President Bush's so-called immigration reform plan which would legalize millions of illegal aliens already in the United States, as well as invite millions more to come--have erupted from the chattering classes that have provided the president's most unswerving support: radio talk-show hosts and political columnists.

Bush amnesty plan angers GOP faithful by Japer, William F. / The New American

Much to the frustration of the chattering classes, the author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit won every one.

Tolkien: Wizard of words by Coren, Michael / Catholic Insight

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