PhrasesHub

chomping at the bit

    Definitions

      • eager and impatient
        To be extremely eager and impatient to start or do something

      • frustrated and restless
        To be agitated or frustrated about being unable to do something one is eager to do

    Examples of chomping at the bit

    • The horse was chomping at the bit as soon as it heard the trainer's command.

      The horse was eager and anxious to begin the race or perform the task it was trained to do, just like a person who is ready and enthusiastic to start a project or pursue an opportunity.

    • She couldn't wait to start her new job and was chomping at the bit during the onboarding process.

      She was filled with anticipation and eagerness to begin working and learn all she could about her new position, just like an animal eager to begin eating after being deprived for a long time.

    • He was chomping at the bit to impress his boss and exceed his expectations with his latest project.

      He was eager to excel and exceed his boss's expectations in his latest project, just like a horse that is eager to please its rider and perform well in competitions.

    • The sales team was chomping at the bit to close the deal with a major client.

      The sales team was eager and excited to complete the sale with a major client, just like an animal that is eager to eat after going hungry for a long time.

    • Sarah couldn't wait to start her new job, she was chomping at the bit to prove herself.

      When a horse is chomping at the bit, it's eager and impatient to begin. In this case, Sarah's excitement and eagerness to get started with her new job is compared to a horse ready to begin a race.

    • The student's eagerness to learn was chomping at the bit as she asked question after question in class.

      A student who's eager to learn and eager to explore the subject can be compared to a horse that's chomping at the bit, ready to learn everything it can about the topic.

    • The coach couldn't wait to get his team back on the field after a long break, they were chomping at the bit.

      When a team has been waiting for a long time to get back on the field, they can be compared to a horse that's chomping at the bit, eager to begin the game.

    • After a week off, Samantha was chomping at the bit to get back to work and make up for the lost time.

      When someone is eager to get back to work after a break, they can be compared to a horse that's chomping at the bit, implying that they're excited and eager to start working again.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "chomping at the bit" is used to express eagerness and impatience to start or do something. It can also convey frustration and restlessness about being unable to do something one is eager to do.

    Origin of "chomping at the bit"

    The phrase "chomping at the bit" originates from the world of horse racing. When a horse is chomping at the bit, it is eagerly and impatiently ready to start the race. The bit is the metal mouthpiece of a horse's bridle, and when a horse chomps or bites at it, it indicates its eagerness and impatience. Over time, the phrase has been adopted into everyday language to describe human eagerness and impatience to do something.