chomp at the bit

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Quotations

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• champ at the bit

[edit] Etymology

Variation of champ at the bit, recasting it as chomp "to chew noisily" + bit "part of a horse's harness held in its mouth"; horses tend to chew on their bits when impatient at waiting.

[edit] Verb

to chomp at the bit (third-person singular simple present chomps at the bit, present participle chomping at the bit, simple past and past participle chomped at the bit)

1. (intransitive) To show impatience or frustration when delayed.

[edit] Usage notes

Informal usage and technically incorrect; the more common form in formal English is champ at the bit.

[edit] Quotations

1. • 2004: Lisa Wang, Taipei Times read at [[1]] on 14 May 2006 - Electronics makers chomping at the bit.
   • 2005: Guy Hedderwick, speaking to Joel Zander of Australian Broadcasting Corporation, New Zealand Knights: Outsiders read at [[2]] on 14 May 2006 - But I wouldn't say [they're frustrated], I think our players are just chomping at the bit to go.
   • 2005: David Borges, Journal Register News Service, Schilling ‘chomping at the bit’ read at [[3]] on 14 May 2006 - Curt Schilling was "chomping at the bit" following Monday’s three-inning stint in an intrasquad minor-league game.