gobble down

USAGE SUMMARY

"gobble down" is a commonly-used expression in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone eating quickly or enthusiastically (e.g. "She gobbled down her dinner in record time").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

If I'm meeting friends after work, I usually grab a slice of pizza to gobble down on my walk.

The New York Times

It becomes a race against the clock; how much can you gobble down before the rest goes cold?

The New York Times - Food

The That Way, dripping and spongy, with cheese like a dream, is the kind of thing you gobble down in a fever.

The New Yorker

Quite the antithesis, you might think, of a man whose most famous film – Oldboy – required its protagonist to gobble down a still-squirming octopus.

The Guardian - Film

The 55-year-old MP managed to gobble down four out of five unpleasant snacks, hours after she freaked out during another task which saw her buried beneath thousands of bugs.

Independent

But, before he could gobble down some sustenance before what he hoped was a big primary night for himself, Mr. Romney made a stop at the polls to vote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Last year, Joey Chestnut bested Takeru Kobayashi by gobbling down sixty-six weiners and buns in twelve minutes.

The New Yorker

Phèdre is a gourmand of grief: she stuffs herself on shame, binges on lamentation, gobbles down grievance.

The New Yorker

In Silva's show, a pear becomes a breast; it is gobbled down, the juice running down her chin.

The Guardian

She filled a plate for us, which we gobbled down, and learned we'd done well to act fast.

The New York Times

When they returned, he placed the box on the lectern, and soon after starting his talk he opened it and gobbled down all 32 pills.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gobble down" when you want to emphasize the speed and sometimes the eagerness with which someone is eating. It's perfect for describing a hurried or enthusiastic meal.

Common error

Avoid using "gobble down" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more refined alternatives like "consume quickly" or "eat rapidly" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

"Gobble down" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "gobble" (to eat quickly) with the particle "down". It describes the action of eating something rapidly and often enthusiastically. Ludwig confirms this is a commonly-used expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gobble down" is a phrasal verb used to describe eating something quickly and often with enthusiasm. Ludwig AI affirms that it is a commonly used phrase. While grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media, its informal tone makes it less suitable for formal or business writing. For those contexts, consider alternatives like "consume quickly" or "eat rapidly". Remember to use "gobble down" when you want to emphasize speed and perhaps a lack of refinement in eating, but be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wolf down

Similar to "gobble down", emphasizing the speed and voracity of eating.

Scarf down

Suggests eating something very quickly and eagerly.

Bolt down

Emphasizes the speed of eating, suggesting that the food is swallowed quickly.

Devour

Implies eating something with great hunger or enthusiasm, often suggesting a sense of enjoyment.

Down

A shortened, informal way to say to eat or drink quickly.

Consume rapidly

A more formal way to express the idea of eating something quickly.

Eat quickly

A simple and direct way to describe the act of eating fast.

Guzzle

Typically used for liquids, meaning to drink something quickly and greedily.

Finish rapidly

Focuses on the completion of eating rather than the manner.

Ingest hastily

A more clinical term, implying speed and possibly a lack of attention to the eating process.

FAQs

How can I use "gobble down" in a sentence?

You can use "gobble down" to describe someone eating quickly. For example, "She gobbled down her lunch before rushing to her next meeting".

What's a more formal alternative to "gobble down"?

Alternatives like "consume quickly" or "eat rapidly" provide a more formal tone than "gobble down".

Is it appropriate to use "gobble down" in business writing?

In most cases, no. Business writing generally requires more formal language. Opt for alternatives like "consume quickly" or "finish rapidly".

What's the difference between "wolf down" and "gobble down"?

Both "wolf down" and "gobble down" suggest eating something quickly, but "wolf down" often emphasizes a greater level of hunger or voracity. The phrase "wolf down" tends to emphasize the animalistic nature of the action.