Something to chew on - The English We Speak - YouTube

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...

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.