Something to chew on

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Neil
And I ‘m Neil.

Feifei
Hey Neil, would you like to try one of my homemade cookies?

Neil Well, we shouldn’t really eat while we’re presenting but… go on then…

Feifei I made them last night and I thought I’d try them out on you! You’ve got a sweet tooth so I know you can’t resist!

Neil OK then… Mmmm.

Feifei Well, what do you think?

Neil Well, they’re… OK. Perhaps not the best I’ve ever had.

Feifei Oh, so you think my cooking isn’t great?

Neil Let’s say it’s something to chew on.

Feifei Right! So you’re saying my homemade cookies are chewy?

Neil No, I’m not. In fact they’re… crunchy. But when someone says they need to chew on something, it’s an informal way to say they need to think about it before making a decision.

Feifei Well, Neil, I will chew on a response to your insult about my cooking while we hear some examples…

Examples Our extension plans are great but we need to chew on it before we give them the go-ahead.

Hmm, it’s very expensive to fly to Australia for a holiday. Let’s chew on it shall we?

My boyfriend asked me to marry him and I said I’d chew on it. He didn’t seem that pleased!

Feifei This is The English We Speak and Neil has been using the expression ‘to chew on something’ or ‘something to chew on’ which means to ‘think about something before making a decision’. And Neil, I’ve made a decision about what to say to you!

Neil Oh yes?

Feifei If you don’t like my cooking, I will not be inviting you to my dinner party tonight.

Neil Oh Feifei! Ah well, at least I’ll avoid your cooking.

Feifei I’m not cooking. We’re getting a takeaway curry and lots of wine. I suppose you could come… if you pay for the take away?

Neil
Hmm that is something I don’t need to chew on. The answer’s ‘no’ - I’ll stay at home and… bake my own cookies! See ya.

Feifei Bye.