Grammar Entry 659 / 1011 60-second read

Chomping at the bit vs. Champing at the bit

Traditional: CHAMPING.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

He was chomping at the bit to start.

✓ Correct

He was champing at the bit to start.

The ruleii

CHAMPING is the original. CHOMPING now widely accepted.

CHAMP is an older verb meaning to bite or chew noisily — used of horses biting the bit.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

British editors keep "champ."

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