English
Alternative spellings
champ at the bit italbrac|UK
Etymology
From chomp#Verb|chomp "to chew noisily" + bit#Noun|bit "part of a horse's harness held in its mouth"; horses tend to chew on their bits when impatient at waiting.
Verb
en-verb|inf=to chomp at the bit|chomps at the bit|chomping at the bit|chomped at the bit
- intransitive To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
Usage notes
This form is used in the US; in the UK the expression is champ at the bit
Quotations
#*2004: Lisa Wang, Taipei Times read at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/03/16/2003102683 on 14 May 2006 - Electronics makers chomping at the bit.
#*2005: Guy Hedderwick, speaking to Joel Zander of Australian Broadcasting Corporation, New Zealand Knights: Outsiders read at http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200508/s1441286.htm on 14 May 2006 - But I wouldn't say [they're frustrated], I think our players are just chomping at the bit to go.
#*2005: David Borges, Journal Register News Service, Schilling �chomping at the bit� read at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid14200724&BRD1641&PAG461&dept_id17739&rfi=6 on 14 May 2006 - Curt Schilling was "chomping at the bit" following Monday�s three-inning stint in an intrasquad minor-league game.
Category:English idioms
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