chomp

Everyday

1. To bite and chew food noisily and with big mouthfuls. tree →
2. (noun) A big, noisy bite. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and everyday talk it describes hungry people and animals, like a crocodile chomping. Phrases: "chomp on", "chomp through", "chomping at the bit" (very eager to start).

Examples

• The horse chomped on an apple. tree →
• He chomped through three sandwiches. tree →
• The crocodile's jaws went chomp! tree →
• Don't chomp with your mouth open. tree →
• We were chomping at the bit to start the race. tree →
• The dog chomped the biscuit in one bite. tree →
• "Ole Brer B'ar, he chomp his toofies en foam at de mouf. tree →

Note

Informal word. It is a bit like "chew" plus "champ". "Chomping at the bit" comes from horses chewing the metal bit in their mouths when they are eager to go.