The phrasal verb "chew up" is used more frequently in informal speech than in formal contexts. It generally means to destroy, damage, or consume something thoroughly. Commonly, "chew up" might be used when describing how machinery or a process has damaged an object, like "The lawnmower chewed up the grass." It can also metaphorically apply to situations, denoting that someone was harshly criticized or overwhelmed; for example, "The critics chewed up the new movie." This verb is also prevalent in idiomatic expressions, such as "chewed up and spit out," highlighting situations where someone or something is subjected to strong criticism or left in disrepair. While not typically found in formal writing, "chew up" adds vividness and sometimes a dramatic flair to descriptions in everyday conversations and informal narratives.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To destroy or damage by chewing.
The dog chewed up my favorite pair of shoes.
The machine chewed up the defective parts quickly.
2. To consume or use up resources or time.
This project really chewed up my entire weekend.
The new software update chewed up more memory than expected.
3. To criticize or verbally attack someone harshly.
The coach chewed up the team for their poor performance.
She was chewed up by her boss for missing the deadline.