PhrasesHub

chattering away

    Definitions

      • talking incessantly
        Describing someone who is talking continuously and often aimlessly or without purpose

      • making noise
        Referring to the sound of people or objects making constant noise or chatter

    Examples of chattering away

    • The salesperson chattered away as she tried to convince me to buy the latest iPad.

      In this example, "chattering away" means that the salesperson was speaking animatedly and at length, trying to persuade the listener to take a particular action.

    • My toddler chattered away in her crib, babbling in a stream of consciousness as she played with her stuffed animals.

      In this example, "chattering away" refers to a child's unscripted and continuous vocalizations, which can be a mix of words, gibberish, and sounds.

    • The chatty colleague chattered away throughout the entire meeting, offering his opinions on every topic discussed.

      In this example, "chattering away" implies that the person being described spoke excessively, perhaps interrupting others and preempting their own contributions.

    • The noisy restaurant was filled with the chatter of diners, the clink of glasses, and the sizzle of food being prepared and served.

      In this example, "chatter" refers to the collective sound of people speaking in a particular setting. The verb "was filled" shows that the chatter was so loud that it seemed to fill up the entire restaurant space.

    • The salesperson chattered away as she explained the features of the new product to the potential customer.

      The idiom "chattering away" means to talk excessively or continuously. In this example, the salesperson was explaining the features of the new product to the potential customer in a very verbose and detailed way, almost as if she couldn't stop talking.

    • The children chattered away in the backseat of the car as their parents drove them to school.

      The idiom "chattering away" is used to describe the constant chatter or noise made by children, especially during long car rides. In this example, the children were making a lot of noise and talking almost incessantly as their parents drove them to school.

    • My aunt chattered away about her trip to Europe for hours, showing us all of her pictures and telling us every detail of her itinerary.

      The idiom "chattering away" can be used to denote someone's overly enthusiastic sharing of information. In this example, my aunt was so excited to share the details of her trip to Europe that she talked about it for hours, almost non-stop.

    • The actors chattered away backstage, nervously preparing for their upcoming performance.

      The idiom "chattering away" can be used to describe the anxious chatter of people preparing for a performance. In this example, the actors were backstage, talking and preparing themselves for their upcoming performance. They were likely nervous and talking a lot in order to calm their nerves.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "chattering away" is commonly used to describe someone talking endlessly or making constant noise. It can be used in a lighthearted or slightly negative way, depending on the context. When someone is chattering away, it usually means they are speaking without pause or purpose, often about trivial or unimportant matters. It can also refer to the sound of people or things making continuous noise in a distracting or annoying manner. Overall, the idiom is a colorful way to convey the idea of incessant talking or noise.

    Origin of "chattering away"

    The origin of the idiom "chattering away" can be traced back to the word "chatter," which means to talk rapidly or incessantly. The word itself has roots in Middle English and Old English, where it was used to describe the sound of birds or the noise of a machine. Over time, the term evolved to include human speech that is rapid, continuous, and often lacking in substance.

    The addition of "away" in the idiom likely emphasizes the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the chatter. When someone is chattering away, it implies that they are talking without restraint or pause, much like the constant noise of a machine or the chatter of birds. This idiom has become a common way to describe someone who is talking nonstop or making constant noise, capturing the essence of incessant chatter in a colorful and expressive manner.