1 B1 neutral
To remove something by chewing until it detaches.
"The dog had chewed off the corner of the leather sofa while we were away."
separable
chew off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To remove something by chewing it until it comes free.
In plain English
To bite and chew something until it breaks off or comes away.
What does "chew off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
Hyperbolically, to bite something with great force or out of extreme hunger or frustration.
"I was so hungry by lunchtime I could have chewed off my own arm."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use the teeth and jaw (chew) to detach (off) something — fully transparent and literal.
Actually means
To bite and chew something until it breaks off or comes away.
Usage tip
Primarily literal and physical in meaning. Common in descriptions of animal behaviour (dogs, rodents). Can also be used hyperbolically. Less common in figurative contexts than 'bite off.'
Words that pair with "chew off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
nail tag label bark limb finger
How to conjugate "chew off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chew off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chews off
he/she/it
Past simple
chewed off
yesterday
Past participle
chewed off
have + pp
-ing form
chewing off
continuous
Hear "chew off" in the wild
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