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chaw up

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To chew something into pieces or a mush.

Literal meaning: To chaw (chew) something up into smaller pieces.

Meanings

1 C1 informal

To chew something thoroughly, especially noisily or with effort.

"The old mule chawed up the tough stalks of corn without any trouble."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Highly dialectal and archaic. 'Chaw' is an old or dialectal form of 'chew', surviving mainly in some American regional dialects (Southern US) and older British dialects. 'Chaw up' is therefore extremely rare. 'Chew up' is always the correct modern alternative.

Commonly used with

tobacco food grass wood

Forms

Base
chaw up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chaws up
he/she/it
Past simple
chawed up
yesterday
Past participle
chawed up
have + pp
-ing form
chawing up
continuous

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Synonyms

chew up munch up gnaw masticate

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