chew on

chew on (something)

1. Literally, to bite or gnaw on something. The baby has been completely miserable lately, except for when he's chewing on a teething ring. You know Coach isn't happy if he's chewing on at a wad of gum and not saying anything to us. If you give the dog a bone, he'll chew on that instead of pestering us.

2. To contemplate something. I've been chewing on this job offer for days, but I still haven't made a decision. Sometimes you just need to stop chewing on all the possible options and start taking action. No, I don't have an answer for you yet. Moving would be a huge change—I need time to chew on it!

See also: chew, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

chew on someone or something

 

1. to gnaw at something. The dog was chewing on my shoe.

2. Go to chew something over.

See also: chew, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

chew on

v.

1. To bite and grind something with the teeth: If we give the puppy a bone, maybe it will stop chewing on our shoes.

2. To meditate or ponder something; think about something: I chewed on the question for a full minute before answering.

See also: chew, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.