Chow down

Meaning

The idiom "chow down" means to eat a lot or to consume food quickly and greedily. It can also mean to go out and have a wild party or to indulge oneself in something pleasurable. The figurative meaning of this idiom is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is doing well, being successful, or having fun.

Usage

• "After the marathon race, the runners chowed down on a big meal to refuel their bodies."
• "The group of friends chow downed on pizza and beer during their weekend get-together."
• "At the office party, everyone was chowing down on cocktails and dancing the night away."
• "He's been working hard all week, so he's going to chow down on some ice cream tonight."
• "When I got home from work, I chowed down on a big sandwich and watched TV for hours."

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "chow down" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the 19th century. It was originally used to describe someone who was eating quickly or greedily, similar to the modern usage. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved to include more figurative and metaphorical meanings, such as doing well or having fun.

Synonyms in English

• Feast
• Gorged
• Binge
• Overindulge
• Consume

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Faire du boulot" (to work hard)
• Spanish: "Tener una buena fiesta" (to have a great party)
• Italian: "Avere un gusto per la vita" (to enjoy life)
• German: "Feiern und jauzen" (to party and drink)
• Japanese: "難しい仕事を食べる" (to work hard)

Similar Idioms

• clam up

• cross swords

• conspiracy of silence