chow down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Informal, Casual, Slang
Quick answer
What does “chow down” mean?
To eat food heartily, quickly, or with gusto.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To eat food heartily, quickly, or with gusto.
To consume a meal with enthusiasm or in large quantities, often informally and quickly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is fully understood in the UK but feels distinctly American in origin and flavor. UK speakers might opt for 'tuck in' or 'dig in' more naturally.
Connotations
In American English, it's a common, lively slang term. In British English, it can sound like an Americanism, sometimes used for deliberate effect.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “chow down” in a Sentence
[Subject] chow down (on [Object])Let's chow down.They were chowing down.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chow down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the hike, we all chowed down on pies and mash.
- The kids chowed down as if they hadn't eaten for days.
American English
- Let's chow down on some burgers and fries.
- He chowed down two hot dogs in under a minute.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate. Use 'have lunch', 'dine', 'eat'.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Perfectly acceptable among friends, family, in casual settings.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chow down”
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Incorrect preposition: 'chow down with pizza' instead of 'chow down on pizza'.
- Using it for a small, delicate snack.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not rude, but it is very informal and casual. It would be impolite in a formal dining situation.
Yes, it's perfectly natural to say, "The dog chowed down on its food." This reinforces its informal, hearty connotations.
They are very similar. 'Chow down' is more strongly associated with American English and can imply speed/quantity slightly more. 'Dig in' is common in both AmE and BrE.
Yes, informally. "We had a real chowdown at the party" means a large, enthusiastic meal. It's even more slangy than the verb.
To eat food heartily, quickly, or with gusto.
Chow down is usually informal, casual, slang in register.
Chow down: in British English it is pronounced /tʃaʊ daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃaʊ daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chow down and chow time (as a related expression for mealtime).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hungry CHOW CHOW dog sitting DOWN to its bowl and eating noisily and quickly – it's CHOWing DOWN.
Conceptual Metaphor
EATING IS A VIGOROUS, POSSIBLY ANIMAL-LIKE ACTIVITY (chow as slang for food, down implying consumption).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'chow down' be LEAST appropriate?