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Difference between Chew the cud and Chew the fat

admin Confusing Phrases

chew the cud—think about smth. slowly and carefully:

  • Near the Acropolis is the Archaia Agora, ruins that were once the square where philosophers chewed the cud.

chew the fat—(coll.)

1. chat at length in a relaxed manner:

  • Blount’s great talent is that he’s comfortable chewing the fat with just about anybody.

2. discuss a matter, especially complainingly:

  • If anyone starts fault-finding or “chewing the fat” he is immediately “ticked off.”

Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase chew the cheese—(sl.) vomit:

  • The cat’s chewing the cheese on the living room carpet again.