be champing at the bit
be champing at the bit
To be very eager or impatient to do something. The phrase alludes to an excited horse chewing on its "bit" (a metal mouthpiece). The kids are champing at the bit to go to the park—can you take them? Now that my daughter is 16, she's champing at the bit to take the driver's test.
See also: bit, champ
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
be champing at the bit
orbe chomping at the bit
If you are champing at the bit, you want to do something now and feel impatient because you are being prevented from doing so. Note: In the first and third expressions, a `bit' is a piece of metal which is held in a horse's mouth by the bridle and reins. Foremen had been champing at the bit to strike before next week's meeting. He had three of Goldman's best clients chomping at the bit to get a piece of this deal.
See also: bit, champ
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
be ˌchamping/ˌchomping at the ˈbit
(also be ˌchafing at the bit more formal) be impatient to do or to start doing something: The players were champing at the bit as the start of the match was delayed. I know you’re chafing at the bit, so we’ll start as soon as we can. Champ and chomp mean to bite or eat something noisily. The bit is the piece of metal which goes in a horse’s mouth and is used to control the horse.
See also: bit, champ, chomp
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- champ
- chomp
- be champing/chomping at the bit
- do (one's) bit
- do bit
- do one's bit
- do your bit
- bit by bit
- take a breath
- in dribs and drabs