chew it over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chew it over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that someone should think about something carefully or consider it for a while before making a decision. Example: "I need some time to chew it over before I give you my final answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"At least someone cares enough about literature to chew it over like a bone," said the author.

The Guardian - Books

No need to chew it over.

The New York Times - Food

It ain't gonna happen, but just chew it over for a while.

The Guardian - Sport

Shepard Smith seems to embrace that, and Anderson Cooper's show is old-school reflective, chew it over".

The New York Times - Style

Martin Johnson, the nationalteam manager who was here to see something of an old-fashioned, rain-affected scrap, was due to chew it over last night with a former club-mate, the Leicester head coach, Richard Cockerill.

Independent

Posthumous commentary they can't do much about, but famished for subjects, some critics don't wait for death before hacking a chunk off their chosen prey and retiring to the academic undergrowth to chew it over.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He withdraws in himself and he chews it over like he does all the things he has done in his life.

The Guardian

Psycho shocked and influenced the world's cinephiles to such an extent that 50 years later, artists still aren't tired of sinking their teeth into it (or at least chewing it over endlessly).

Vice

That's a good slogan, but an even better one would be 'Make my bed.'" And this guy who wanted to be on the Hall Council chewed it over for a minute, and said, "You know what, I like the ring of that," and he went and made all these posters that read "Vote for Day: Make my Bed," and put them up all over the place, leaving the student body confused but relatively unharmed.

Huffington Post

Silence as the contestants chewed it over.

The New Yorker

7 Chewing it over: Qat is the most popular drug in Yemen, with effects similar to amphetamine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chew it over" when you want to convey the idea of careful and thoughtful consideration before making a decision or forming an opinion.

Common error

Don't use "chew it over" if you're describing a situation that requires immediate action or a snap judgment. The phrase implies a period of reflection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chew it over" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a verb phrase. It signifies the act of contemplating or deliberating on a matter before reaching a conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chew it over" is an idiomatic verb phrase that means to think carefully about something before making a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively informal, it appears frequently in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. Alternatives include "mull it over" and "think it through". When using "chew it over", remember that it implies a period of reflection and is not suitable for situations requiring immediate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mull it over

This alternative emphasizes a slow and thoughtful consideration.

think it through

This phrase suggests a systematic and thorough evaluation of the situation.

ponder it

This implies a deep and reflective thought process.

contemplate it

This suggests a more formal and deliberate consideration.

reflect on it

This emphasizes looking back and thinking deeply about something.

give it some thought

This alternative is a more general expression for considering something.

consider it carefully

This stresses the importance of thorough evaluation.

deliberate about it

This emphasizes a careful and unhurried consideration.

meditate on it

This implies a more spiritual or philosophical consideration.

ruminate on it

This suggests dwelling on something for an extended period.

FAQs

What does "chew it over" mean?

The phrase "chew it over" means to think carefully about something before making a decision or forming an opinion. It suggests taking time to consider all aspects of the matter.

How can I use "chew it over" in a sentence?

You might say, "I need some time to chew it over before I can give you an answer," indicating you need time to think about the question.

What can I say instead of "chew it over"?

Alternatives include "mull it over", "think it through", or "ponder it". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance of consideration.

Is "chew it over" formal or informal?

The phrase "chew it over" is considered relatively informal and is best suited for casual conversation or less formal writing. For professional communications, "consider it carefully" might be more appropriate.