chivvy

Everyday

1. (mainly UK, informal) To keep telling someone to hurry up or do something, in an annoying way. tree →
2. To chase or hunt someone, or drive animals along. tree →

In the lessons

An everyday British word for nagging people to get moving: parents chivvy children to get dressed, teachers chivvy a class into line. In older stories (The Wind in the Willows) animals are chivvied and chased by others. Often followed by «along», «into» or «out of».

Examples

• Mum chivvied us out of bed for school. tree →
• The teacher chivvied the class back inside after the bell. tree →
• The sheepdog chivvied the sheep through the gate. tree →
• Stop chivvying me, I'm nearly ready! tree →
• Dad chivvied everyone into the car. tree →
• In the story the weasels chivvied the poor rabbits. tree →

Note

Mainly British. Past: chivvied (y → ie). Similar words: nag, hurry, hustle. Not rude, but it shows the person being chivvied may feel annoyed.