CHECKERED PAST, CHEW (SOMEONE) OUT [GET CHEWED OUT], CHEW (SOMETHING) OVER: American English Idioms #39

CHECKERED PAST

Checkered past is a term used to describe someones life history of having been engaged in questionable behavior. The phrase was used as early as the 1700s and 1800s as a metaphor for “marked with some kind of pattern or spot, as if checkered.

Having a checkered past is a colloquial way of saying that someone has been involved in some type of shady dealing. In the case of a public figure, it might point to their having been defeated, disgraced, or abandoned by an ally at some point in the past.

A checkered past is the term for a history of various events that are difficult to accept or understand. It often includes behaviors or actions that are morally questionable, along with struggles to assimilate into mainstream society. The term has been used since at least the 1920s and can be seen in many examples, including crime shows on TV.

Checkered past is a term used to describe someone with an extremely diverse history. This can be in regards to education, profession, health, family, etc.

CHEW (SOMEONE) OUT [GET CHEWED OUT]

Chew someone out is an idiom which refers to an act in which one will publicly harshly reprimand or scold another. It may be done in person, over the phone, in writing, or through email.

The word “chew” does not have a literal meaning when it comes to chewing something out. It originated from the 18th century because when sailors would chew tobacco, their spit would leave stains on their clothing that resembled teeth marks.

Chew out is a phrase that has been used in slang since 1920 and can be translated to telling someone off. It is often used to express anger and frustration. Saying “I’m going to chew you out” or “you got chewed out” would be the same as saying “I’m going to yell at you” or “you got yelled at”.

Chew someone out is an idiom that means to criticize or scold someone. The phrase is usually used in place of the word “scold” when describing a situation where one person may be chewing another out for something they did wrong. Some people may think this phrase came about because it’s easier to chew at someone than cussing at them, but it actually came from the use of chewing tobacco sometimes referred to as chawing tobacco.

The act of chewing someone out is when one individual berates another for their behavior. This is not an uncommon occurrence in the workplace, but it is perceived as negative and counterproductive to morale.

CHEW (SOMETHING) OVER

The term “chew something over” refers to the process of considering a problem or idea from many angles. This is a very important aspect in the academic world because knowledge is gained through analysis, debate, and critical thinking.

This phrase is often used in the legal profession to describe the process of analyzing a case or decision. It can also be used to describe someone who has considered their options before responding to a difficult question.

The use of the phrase “chew something over” involves a lot more than simply chewing food. While when we say chew, we may be thinking about the mouth and mouth movements (movements such as smiling, biting, tongue-rolling), when we say chew something over, we are talking about mental movements–the kind of movements that can be done in our heads. Chewing over an idea is looking at the details of it to try to understand it.

The phrase ‘chew something over’ has several meanings. To some, it may refer to the act of chewing food in order to break it down. For others, chewing may mean thinking deeply about a problem in order to come up with a solution. The phrase can also be used when individuals are looking for advice or an opinion on a matter they are dealing with.