chatter about (someone or something)
To talk idly, incessantly, or excitedly about someone or something. Why are all of these people suddenly chattering about me? Well, he's still chattering about how wonderful this program is, but I stopped listening a while ago. Uncle Ned is already chattering about politics, so I'd steer clear of him if I were you.
chatter away
1. Of a person, to talk idly or incessantly. Now that she can talk, my little girl will just chatter away all day long. Well, he's still chattering away, but I stopped listening a while ago. Uncle Ned is already chattering away about politics, so I'd steer clear of him if I were you.
2. Of an animal, to make a series of noises. The chipmunk started chattering away as I got closer to it. A: "What's all that racket?" B: "Ah, just some squirrels chattering away and chasing each other up the trees." A: "I've never heard a cat chatter away so much!" B: "Oh, our Fluffy chirps and squeaks constantly!"
chatter from (something)
Of teeth, to touch together noisily, usually because one's whole body is shivering in the cold. My teeth were chattering from what seemed like Arctic winds. Even though we huddled together for warmth at the bus stop, our teeth were still chattering from the cold. My teeth are chattering from this air conditioning! I must be right under a vent.
chatterbox
informal Someone who talks constantly or excessively, especially about trivial or irrelevant things. My five-year-old is such a chatterbox. Seriously, it feels like she can talk for hours at a time about whatever pops into her head! I hate getting stuck next to chatterboxes in a movie theater. If you wanted to talk, why on earth did you come to the movies! One of my coworkers is such a chatterbox. I never get any work done when he's around, because all he wants to do is talk, talk, talk!
chitter-chatter
1. verb To talk idly or incessantly. Now that she can talk, my little girl will just chitter-chatter away all day long. My date is still chitter-chattering away, but I stopped listening a while ago. Uncle Ned is already chitter-chattering about politics, so I'd steer clear of him if I were you.
2. noun Idle or incessant talk. Now that my daughter can talk, I get to listen to her chitter-chatter all day long. You can always count on some inane chitter-chatter in the conference room before a meeting starts. Sounds like chitter-chatter to me. I really don't think they're talking about candidates for the promotion.
the chattering classes
Educated individuals known for frequently discussing and commenting on current events, such as politics, perhaps in the media. The term is often derogatory. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I wouldn't know what the chattering classes are on about—I pay no attention to all the talking heads.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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 (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 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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.