What does ‘chew the fat’ mean?
To “chew the fat” means to have a leisurely chat. A 19th-century idiom of uncertain origin; Brewer's 1898 does not record it in this sense.
Origin
- A 19th-century idiom of uncertain origin; Brewer's 1898 does not record it in this sense.
How to use it
- Casual invitation to a long informal conversation.
- Example: Come by later — we'll chew the fat.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.