chew on
B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To keep biting something with your teeth, or to keep thinking hard about an idea or problem.
Literal meaning: To apply the chewing motion 'on' (to) something — to keep working at it with the teeth.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To bite and work something repeatedly with the teeth.
"The puppy was chewing on one of my shoes when I walked in the door."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To think carefully about a problem, idea, or suggestion, especially over a period of time.
"Let me chew on your proposal for a few days before I give you a final answer."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The literal sense is straightforward. The figurative sense ('chew on a problem') is widely used in informal speech and writing. Often used imperatively in the figurative sense: 'Chew on that for a while.'
Commonly used with
idea problem bone thought pencil gum
Forms
Base
chew on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chews on
he/she/it
Past simple
chewed on
yesterday
Past participle
chewed on
have + pp
-ing form
chewing on
continuous
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