{"id":8776,"date":"2022-09-08T00:58:25","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T00:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=8776"},"modified":"2022-09-08T00:59:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T00:59:02","slug":"chomping-at-the-bit-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/chomping-at-the-bit-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Chomping at the Bit \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you \u2018chomping at the bit\u2019<\/em><\/strong> for the release of the new season of \u2018Rick \u2018n Morty\u2019? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018chomping at the bit\u2019<\/em><\/strong> means you\u2019re feeling restless and impatient due to an unexpected delay<\/u>. It can also refer to showing restraint while feeling impatient and restless.<\/u> Horses wear bridles and \u2018champ\u2019<\/em> at the bit in their mouth when they want to start moving.<\/p>\n

The \u2018chomp\u2019 <\/em>variation of the saying is uniquely American<\/u>. The modern use of the phrase has nothing to do with restless horses. \u2018Chomping at the bit\u2019 <\/em>can also refer to someone eager to progress their progress in life and has an ambitious attitude.<\/u><\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"He's been chomping at the bit all season. The coach needs to give him the shot he deserves and put him in the starting lineup for the game this Saturday.'<\/p>\n

\"I like the new guy in the office. You can see he's chomping at the bit and full of ambition. These are the kind of employees we need working at our firm.\"<\/p>\n

\"I've been chomping at the bit for this for weeks. The new Star Wars movie comes out this weekend, and I can't wait to see it.\"<\/p>\n

\"We're all chomping at the bit over here. We need more customers to practice our pitch and achieve our sales targets.\"<\/p>\n

\"I'm just over here, chomping at the bit. I'll keep pushing, and eventually, someone will notice my efforts and give me the reward I deserve.\"<\/p>\n

\"There's no use chomping at the bit when you don't have any prospects. You need to get on your purpose and start doing something with your life.\"<\/p>\n

\"I'm chomping at the bit for the green light. I can't wait to put the pedal to the floor and take this beast to its top speed.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression 'chomping at the bit' is the Americanized version of the original 'champing at the bit.' The original phrase comes from the action of a horse chomping at its bridle. The term's first appearance is in a religious poem written by Reverend Charles Lucas. The poem, 'Joseph,' published in 1810, has the saying as follows.<\/p>\n

\"Twelve beauteous steeds, of golden color and with golden manes, champ at the bit.\"<\/p>\n

The saying crossed the pond from England to America in the early 1900s. However, Americans changed 'champ' to 'chomp,' creating the alternate version of the expression.<\/p>\n

The first appearance of 'chomping at the bit' was in a recruitment advert published in The Decatur Daily Review in April 1920.<\/p>\n

\"When the horses are chomping at the bit and the 'yellow legs' mount up, and the troop rides forth, there is a thrill that no old cavalryman can ever forget.\"<\/p>\n