chug

¹ American  

[chuhg] / tʃʌg /

verb (used with or without object)

chugged, chugging

1. Also to swallow (a drink) in large gulps or without interruption.

   He noisily chugged the entire bottle of water, then slammed it onto the table.

   She was just sitting on the bench, chugging away on a bottle of soda.

---

noun

1. a large gulp or swallow.

   He finished his beer in two chugs.

chug ² American  

[chuhg] / tʃʌg /

noun

1. a short, dull, explosive sound.

   the steady chug of an engine.

---

verb (used without object)

chugged, chugging

1. to make this sound.

   The motor chugged.

2. to move while making this sound.

   The train chugged along.

chug British  

/ tʃʌɡ /

noun

1. a short dull sound, esp one that is rapidly repeated, such as that made by an engine

---

verb

1. (intr) (of an engine, etc) to operate while making such sounds

Other Word Forms

• chugger noun

Etymology

Origin of chug¹

First recorded in 1955–60, as chug down; of imitative origin

Origin of chug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; imitative

Example Sentences

The investment bank and financial-services firm chugged along for years without much notice, specializing in bond trading and deals in risky corners of the finance world that competitors avoided.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I don’t know how many teams, you miss a whole top line out would be able to chug along the way we are,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said.

From Seattle Times

If there must be a third movie, just let the cast chug wine in real time.

From New York Times

People are leaving, businesses are closing, long city buses chug past with only three passengers inside.

From New York Times

A military convoy chugged past an intersection, leaving behind a wake of diesel haze.

From New York Times