chow down: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘chow down’ mean?
The idiom *chow down* means to eat a large amount of food quickly and greedily.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "wolf down" means to eat something quickly and eagerly, often without paying much attention to manners or etiquette.
The idiomatic expression "eat someone's lunch" means to defeat or outperform them, typically in a competitive or confrontational situation.
"Eat someone out of house and home" means to consume all of someone's food and resources, usually in large quantities. It is used to describe someone who eats voraciously and excessively, causing a significant strain on the household's supplies and finances.
The idiom "eat shit" is an offensive expression used to imply contempt, frustration, or disbelief towards someone or a situation, often indicating a desire for them to fail or suffer negative consequences.
The idiom "eat out of someone's hand" means to be completely under someone's control or influence, obeying their every command without question.
The idiom "eat one's head off" means to consume something excessively or without restraint, often referring to a person or an animal consuming food in large quantities. It emphasizes the idea of extreme or voracious eating.
The idiom "eat one's head off" is a commonly used phrase with a figurative meaning. It originated in the English language in the late 19th century.
The idiom "eat one's feelings" means to cope with emotions or stress by indulging in comfort food or excessive eating, as a way of temporarily relieving emotional pain or distress.
The idiom "eat it" means to accept or tolerate something unpleasant or embarrassing, often with resignation or humility.
The idiom "eat for two" means to eat a large amount of food, often to the point of overeating or indulging excessively. It is a colloquial expression used to describe someone who has a hearty appetite or enjoys eating without restraint.
The idiom "eat an elephant one bite at a time" means tackling a large or overwhelming task by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts.
Delve into Devouring: Unravel the Definition of 'Chow Down'
The idiom "chow down" is often used interchangeably with the phrase "wolf down," which means to eat something quickly and voraciously. Both idioms convey a sense of consuming food with great enthusiasm and gusto. Whether it's a delicious home-cooked meal or a mouth-watering slice of pizza, when you chow down or wolf down your food, you show no restraint in enjoying every bite.
Another related idiom is "bite to eat," which refers to having a quick meal or snack. Similar to "chow down," this phrase emphasizes the act of eating but in a more casual and informal manner. Whether you're grabbing a sandwich during your lunch break or munching on some chips while watching a movie, when you take a bite to eat, you're satisfying your hunger with a small, satisfying meal.
On the other hand, the idiom "eat for two" has a slightly different meaning. This expression is often used to describe someone who is eating a large amount of food, as if they were eating for two people. It implies that the individual is consuming a substantial quantity of food, either because they have a big appetite or because they are indulging in their favorite dishes. So, when you chow down or wolf down your meal, you may be eating for two!
Similarly, the idiom "eat one's head off" refers to the act of eating excessively or voraciously. It suggests that someone is consuming food to such an extent that it's as if they were eating their own head. This figurative expression is used to describe someone with a ravenous appetite or who has a tendency to overeat. So, the next time you see someone chowing down, they might just be eating their head off.
Lastly, there's the idiom "eat and leave no crumbs." This expression is often used to describe someone who eats everything on their plate, leaving no leftover food or crumbs behind. It conveys a sense of thoroughness, as if the person is making sure to savor every last morsel of their meal. When you chow down or wolf down your food, you may find yourself eating and leaving no crumbs.
So, whether you're chowing down, wolfing down, taking a bite to eat, eating for two, eating your head off, or eating and leaving no crumbs, these idioms all highlight the act of consuming food with gusto, enthusiasm, and sometimes even gluttony. They capture the joy and satisfaction that comes from indulging in a delicious meal, whether it's a quick snack or a hearty feast.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *chow down* can be used in a sentence:
- After work, we decided to chow down on a delicious pizza.
- He always chows down on a big breakfast every morning.
- Before the game, the team gathered to chow down on a hearty meal.
More "Food" idioms
