champ1

[champ, chomp] /tʃæmp, tʃɒmp/
verb (used with object)
1.
to bite upon or grind, especially impatiently:
The horses champed the oats.
2.
to crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch.
3.
to mash; crush.
verb (used without object)
4.
to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.
noun
5.
the act of champing.
Idioms
6.
champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.
Also, chomp.
Origin
1520-30; perhaps akin to chap1; see chop1
Related forms
champer, noun
champy, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for champ at the bit

champ1

/tʃæmp/
verb
1.
to munch (food) noisily like a horse
2.
when intr, often foll by on, at, etc. to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw
3.
(informal) champ at the bit, chafe at the bit, to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc
noun
4.
the act or noise of champing
5.
(Ulster, dialect) a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks
Derived Forms
champer, noun
Word Origin
C16: probably of imitative origin

champ2

/tʃæmp/
noun
1.
(informal) short for champion (sense 1)
Word Origin and History for champ at the bit

champ

n.

1868, American English abbreviation of champion (n.).

v.

"to chew noisily," 1520s, probably echoic; OED suggests a connection with jam (v.). Earlier also cham, chamb, etc. To champ on (or at) the bit, as an eager horse will, is attested in figurative sense by 1640s. Related: Champed; champing. As a noun in this sense, attested from c.1600.

Slang definitions & phrases for champ at the bit

champ at the bit

verb phrase

To be eager or enthusiastic: champing at the bit to run the race (mid-1600s+)


chomp at the bit

verb phrase

To be eager for action; be impatient: He'd been chomping at the bit real hard the last three weeks (1640s+)


Related Abbreviations for champ at the bit

CHAMP

Comprehensive Healthcare Analysis and Management Program
Idioms and Phrases with champ at the bit

champ at the bit

Show impatience at being held back or delayed, as in The dismissal bell hadn't rung, but they were champing at the bit to leave. This term transfers the action of a horse that impatiently bites the bit in its mouth to human behavior. [ Mid-1600s ]

champ

In addition to the idiom beginning with champ also see: like a champ