chip (redirected from chipped away at)

a bargaining chip (British, American & Australian, 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

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

See also: call, cash

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. Look at her bossing everyone around - she's a real chip off the old block! (not used with the)

See also: block, old

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. Even though he went to university, he's always had a chip on his shoulder about his poor upbringing. (often + about)

See also: shoulder

have had your chips

1. 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. 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 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

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

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 also: down

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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.

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

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.

See also: down