verb
chivvy
Chivvy (verb) means (informal) To keep pushing someone to hurry up and do something.
verb
1
(informal) To keep pushing someone to hurry up and do something.
"We don't have time to respond to emails or any attempts to chivvy us up – sorry."
— , The Albert Sessions (2007)
"He headed for home, walking a little faster now, as if chivied along by some old cold wind that didn't quite reach the sunlit world."
— Gardner Dozois, Executive Clemency (1981)
2
To nag or verbally pester someone repeatedly.
"Toby played the lightly chivvied ‘husband’ very sweetly, and Sophie claimed him in the childish ways of someone experimenting with her power, with little exasperations and innuendos."
— Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
3
To move quickly and quietly towards someone or something, often unnoticed.
4
To chase after someone or something, as in a hunt.
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Etymology
From chivy, chevy (“to chase; to race, scamper”), from chivy, chevy (“a chase, hunt, pursuit”), probably from the title of The Ballad of Chevy Chase, first published in The Complaynt of Scotland (1549); the ballad is about a hunt taking place on a chase (“large country estate where game may be hunted”) in the Cheviot Hills between Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, and is thought to allude to the Battle of Otterburn in 1388.
Related words
Rhymes for chivvy
See all rhymes for chivvy →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of chivvy?
"chivvy" (verb) means (informal) To keep pushing someone to hurry up and do something.
What is another word for chivvy?
Other words for "chivvy" include harass, chivy, harry, provoke, beset, chevy.
What are the different meanings of chivvy?
"chivvy" has 3 main meanings: 1. (informal) To keep pushing someone to hurry up and do something; 2. To nag or verbally pester someone repeatedly; 3. To move quickly and quietly towards someone or something, often unnoticed.
