chew the/(one's) cud

chew the/(one's) cud

To contemplate something. ("Cud" is partially digested food that is regurgitated to be chewed again, a common behavior of cows.) I've been chewing my cud for days, but I still haven't decided whether I'm taking the job or not. Sometimes you just need to stop chewing the cud and make a decision.
See also: chew, cud
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

chew one's cud

Fig. to think deeply; to be deeply involved in private thought. (Alludes to the cow's habit of bringing food back from the first stomach into the mouth to chew it, called chewing the cud.) He's chewing his cud about what to do next.
See also: chew, cud
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

chew the cud

Also, chew over. Ponder over, meditate, as in John tends to chew the cud before he answers, or Let me chew that over and let you know. The first term, first recorded in 1382, transfers the appearance of a patiently ruminating cow to a person deep in thought. The variant was first recorded in 1696.
See also: chew, cud
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

chew the cud

1 (of a ruminant animal) further chew partly digested food. 2 think or talk reflectively.
2 1992 DJ We chewed the cud, drank a few beers and at the end of the meal, Malu asked if I wanted to hit a club.
See also: chew, cud
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

chew the cud

Slang
To ponder over; meditate.
See also: chew, cud
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • chew cud
  • chew the cud
  • cud
  • think on
  • think on (someone or something)
  • think upon (someone or something)
  • think twice
  • think twice about
  • think twice about something/about doing something
  • think twice, to