chivvy

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[edit] English

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chivvy (third-person singular simple present chivvies, present participle chivvying, simple past and past participle chivvied)

To subject to harassment or verbal abuse.
- 2005 10 November, Nick Robinson, “Robinson's view: Blair's defeat”, BBC News:
  
  For 11 years now he has only one approach - to lead from the front and then to confront, challenge, and chivvy the Labour Party into backing him.
To coerce, as by persistent request.
- 2007 24 April, “The Albert Sessions”:
  
  We don't have time to respond to emails or any attempts to chivvy us up - sorry.
To sneak up on or rapidly approach.
To pursue as in a hunt.

to chivvy the fox

To subject to harassment or verbal abuse

chivvy (plural chivvies)

A goad.
- 2003 23 September, “Web payback for delayed commuters”, BBC News:
  
  It's just there to act as a chivvy to London Underground.