gobble
B1Informal, conversational.
Definition
Meaning
to eat something quickly and noisily, often showing a lack of manners.
to use something up rapidly or in large quantities; to make a sound like a turkey; to submerge or swallow.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary verb sense is informal, often implying greediness. The onomatopoeic sense ('like a turkey') is neutral. The extended sense 'consume rapidly' is often applied to resources or time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both primary meanings are used identically. The word 'gobble' itself is slightly more common in UK English in informal contexts. The phrase 'gobble up' for consumption is universal.
Connotations
Equally informal and vivid in both dialects.
Frequency
Moderately common in both; slightly higher UK frequency in spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO: He gobbled the sandwich.SVOA (with particle): The kids gobbled up the popcorn.SV (intransitive): Don't gobble, it's rude.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gobble up (to consume completely/eagerly)”
- “gobble down (to eat hurriedly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'The larger company is poised to gobble up our smaller competitors.'
Academic
Rarely used, except perhaps in literary analysis describing gluttony.
Everyday
Common: 'He gobbled his breakfast and ran for the bus.'
Technical
Used in ornithology for the sound a turkey makes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The pigs gobbled up all the scraps from the bin.
- Don't gobble your food, you'll get indigestion.
American English
- He gobbled down three hot dogs at the county fair.
- The new software gobbles up memory like nothing else.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hungry dog gobbled its food.
- The children gobbled up all the sweets before dinner.
- Rising costs are gobbling up our company's profits.
- The tech giant continues to gobble up smaller startups to dominate the market.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'goblin' (gob-) eating (-bble) greedily => gobble.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS AGGRESSIVE/ANIMALISTIC DEVOURING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'goblin' (гоблин). The Russian equivalent for eating quickly 'жадно есть' or 'уплетать' captures the sense.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'gobble' (eat) with 'gabble' (talk fast).
- Using 'gobble' in formal writing where 'consume rapidly' is better.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these does NOT describe a typical meaning of 'gobble'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be impolite when describing someone's eating habits directly, as it implies bad manners.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically: 'The rent gobbles up half my salary.'
They are often interchangeable. 'Gobble up' can imply complete consumption or acquisition (e.g., a company gobbling up another), while 'gobble down' more strictly refers to hurried eating.
Yes, 'gobble' is also an onomatopoeic verb/noun for the guttural sound a male turkey makes.