chewing on
Mentally working through
Chewing on something means turning it over in your mind, working through it mentally without reaching a conclusion yet.
The image is of prolonged mastication—not swallowing quickly but processing slowly: I've been chewing on your offer all week.
The phrase suggests deliberate consideration rather than snap judgment.
- munchTo gnaw steadily
- ruminatingThinking deeply, repeatedly
- jawBone holding teeth
- cudRechewed stomach contents
- chompingChewing loudly or eagerly
bite · gnaw · nibble · mulling over · food for thought · mouth · crunching · deliberating · working through · rehashing · biting off · pondering · contemplating · brooding · reflecting · worrying · nervous habit · tasting
chewing onspitting out
Ejecting from the mouth
releasing · expelling · dropping · swallowing
chewing ondismissing
Removing from position
ignoring · disregarding · brushing off · writing off · brushing aside
chew, chewy, chewing, chewed, chews, chewable, chewer, chewers, mastication