chin ball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “chin ball” mean?
the center of the lower part of the face, below the mouth and above the neck, forming the front of the jaw.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the center of the lower part of the face, below the mouth and above the neck, forming the front of the jaw
can refer metaphorically to determination or resilience (e.g., 'keep your chin up'), or to a protruding part in various contexts (e.g., 'chin of a violin')
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor potential differences in compound terms (e.g., 'chin rest' for a violin is standard, while 'chin guard' for sports might be more common in AmE).
Connotations
Equally neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “chin ball” in a Sentence
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.She has a dimple in her chin.Keep your chin up!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chin ball” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He chinned himself effortlessly on the bar.
- (Boxing slang) The boxer was chinned in the first round.
American English
- He chinned the ledge to pull himself up.
- (Informal) I can't believe he chinned me like that in the meeting.
adverb
British English
- He held the violin chin-rested securely.
American English
- The helmet should sit chin-level.
adjective
British English
- He had a chin-high collar on his duffel coat.
- The boxer suffered a chin-breaking blow.
American English
- She wore a chin-length bob haircut.
- It was a chin-checking right hook.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical idioms about resilience (e.g., 'We took the losses on the chin').
Academic
Primarily in anatomical/biological contexts.
Everyday
Very common for describing appearance, gestures, and in idioms.
Technical
Anatomy, music (violin chin rest), sports equipment (chin guard).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chin ball”
- Misspelling as 'chinne'. Confusing 'chin' with 'jaw'. Incorrect preposition in idioms: 'Keep your chin on' (incorrect) vs. 'Keep your chin up' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's informal or specialised. It can mean to hit someone's chin (boxing) or, in UK English, to pull oneself up to touch a bar with one's chin (gymnastics).
The 'chin' is specifically the protruding central part of the lower face. The 'jaw' (mandible) is the entire bone structure that holds the lower teeth, including the chin.
It's a British and Australian informal term for a long, friendly conversation or gossip.
It is a direct, descriptive term for a layer of fat under the chin. It can be perceived as impolite if used to describe a person directly, especially in a critical way.
the center of the lower part of the face, below the mouth and above the neck, forming the front of the jaw.
Chin ball is usually neutral in register.
Chin ball: in British English it is pronounced /tʃɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “keep your chin up”
- “take it on the chin”
- “chin wag (BrE, informal chat)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the word 'CHIN' written on your own chin. The 'CH' sounds like the beginning of 'chew', which you do with your jaw, connected to your chin.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CHIN AS A SYMBOL OF RESILIENCE/DETERMINATION (e.g., 'keep your chin up' meaning stay positive; 'take it on the chin' meaning accept hardship bravely).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'take it on the chin' mean?