CHEW

[verb] [T] - to crush (food) into smaller, softer pieces with the teeth so that it is easier to swallowYou should chew your food well, or you will get indigestion.He made his sandwich last as long as possible by chewing each mouthful over and over again.To chew something also means to bite it with your teeth, usually in order to taste its flavour.Would you like some gum to chew? [I]She gave the children some sweets to chew (on) during the long car journey. [T]He chewed on (= bit at) his lower lip, trying to remember where he had left his car keys. [T]She sat in the waiting room at the dentist's, nervously chewing (at) (= biting) her nails. [T]A mouse seems to have chewed through (= bitten a hole in) the carpet. [I]The missile can travel almost a mile a second and chew through (= pass through) the world's toughest armour by brute force. [I]We accidentally left the dog in the house while we were out and the living room carpet was all chewed (up) (= the dog had bitten holes in it) when we got back. [T](informal) Your tape recorder's just chewed up (= damaged) my favourite cassette. [M](informal) To chew on/chew over something is to think carefully about it for a long time.Why don't you chew on it for a while before making your decision.I've been chewing the problem over since last week(informal) If you chew the fat with someone, you talk with them in an informal and friendly way.John Major has been chewing the fat with Bill Clinton in Washington.Chewing gum is a sweet that you keep in your mouth and chew to get its flavour, but which you do not swallow.Would you like a piece/stick of chewing gum?(figurative) Television is sometimes called chewing gum for the mind because it entertains people without teaching them anything. chew [noun] [C]The cheese had a mild flavour which disappeared after a couple of chews.Give the dog a bone and let him have a chew on that.A chew is also a hard sweet that gets softer the more you bite it.