chivvy

IPA/ˈtʃɪvi/
IPA/ˈtʃɪvi/

chivvy — verb

  • chivvypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • chivvieshe / she / it
  • chivviedpast simple
  • chivvying-ing form

1. to keep telling someone in a slightly impatient way to start or finish a task th

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to keep telling someone in a slightly impatient way to start or finish a task that they are reluctant or slow to do

Example

Tunde had to chivvy the children into the car before the rain started.

chivvy + somebody + into + place (motion goal)

Beatrix kept chivvying her brother to finish his homework before dinner.

chivvy + somebody + to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • chivvy someone along
  • chivvy the children
  • chivvy into action
  • gently chivvy
Synonyms
  • nag

    stronger and usually negative; suggests repeated nagging that irritates

  • hurry along

    neutral phrasal verb; same meaning without the gentle-pressure nuance

  • prod

    single push rather than repeated reminders

  • badger

    much more persistent and unwelcome than chivvy

Antonyms
  • let be

    leave the person alone to act at their own pace

Grammar Patterns

chivvy + somebody + into + -ing

chivvy + somebody + along

chivvy + somebody + to do something

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person in a position to push others along (parent, teacher, manager, guide). The tone is mildly impatient rather than angry — the speaker assumes the listener already meant to do the task but is dragging their feet.

Common Mistakes

My boss chivvied me the report.
My boss chivvied me into finishing the report.
the thing being prompted goes in an into-clause, not as a direct object.
Aoi chivvied for the train.
Aoi chivvied her sister for the train.
you chivvy a person, not a goal.

2. to bother someone again and again with small complaints, demands, or criticisms

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to bother someone again and again with small complaints, demands, or criticisms in a way that wears them down

Example

Jason felt the reporters chivvied him for weeks after the trial ended.

passive-leaning: the target endures repeated bothering

Amihan refused to be chivvied by the neighbours about her overgrown garden.

passive: be chivvied + about + topic

Common collocations
  • chivvy someone about something
  • chivvy over a mistake
  • be chivvied by
Synonyms
  • harass

    stronger and more hostile; chivvy is petty, harass implies real harm

  • pester

    very close in meaning; pester is more common in everyday speech

  • hound

    more relentless; implies the target cannot escape

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

chivvy + somebody

chivvy + somebody + about + something

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: here the bothering is about an existing grievance or fault rather than urging the listener to act on a pending task. Often appears in the passive (be chivvied by, be chivvied about), foregrounding the target who feels worn down.

Common Mistakes

Élise chivvied me how rude I was.
Élise chivvied me about how rude I was.
the topic of the complaint takes about or over.

Word family

  • chivvying
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five words describe pushing someone to act, but they differ in tone and force. 'Chivvy' is mildly impatient and assumes good will on both sides — a parent chivvies a child to put shoes on; the child knew they had to, just slowly. 'Nag' is harsher and one-sided; the nagger keeps repeating a complaint the listener resents. 'Pester' centres on the annoyance felt by the target rather than the task to be done; small children pester adults for sweets. 'Hurry along' is neutral and physical — you literally speed someone up. 'Prod' is usually a single push, often gentle, with no repetition implied. So you might chivvy a colleague to send a report, but only nag a partner about household chores, prod a friend once to apply for a job, and pester a busy parent for attention.

chivvy ↗nag ↗pester ↗hurry alongprod ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the children
  • the group
  • the staff

Adverbs

Phrases

  • chivvy someone along
  • chivvy into action

Prepositions

Etymology

Middle EnglishBritish English

Originated in early 19th-century British English as a variant of 'chevy' or 'chivy', short for 'Chevy Chase', the name of a 15th-century ballad about a hunting raid on the Scottish border. The hunting sense — to chase and harry game — gradually softened into the modern meaning of repeatedly urging or bothering a person.