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B1 verb #34 mais comum 14 min de leitura

gobble

Top 34

At the A1 level, 'gobble' is a fun and easy word to learn because it is very descriptive. Think of it as a special way to say 'eat very fast.' You might use it when talking about a hungry dog or a person who loves cake. It is also the sound a turkey makes, like 'gobble-gobble.' At this level, you don't need to worry about the hard meanings. Just remember: if you eat like a hungry monster, you are gobbling! You can say 'The dog gobbles the meat' or 'I gobble my cookies.' It is a noisy, happy word for eating. It is much more exciting than just saying 'eat.' When you see a picture of a big bird like a turkey, you can say 'The turkey says gobble.' This helps you remember the word because the bird's sound and the fast eating both use the same word. It is a very common word in children's books, so you might see it when you read simple stories. Just imagine someone opening their mouth very wide and taking big bites very quickly. That is what 'gobble' means for you right now.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'gobble' to describe people's habits more clearly. You might notice that people 'gobble' when they are in a hurry. For example, if you are late for school, you might gobble your breakfast. It is an informal word, so you use it with friends and family, not usually with your teacher or in a formal letter. You should also learn the phrase 'gobble up.' This is a phrasal verb. It means to eat all of something very quickly. If you say 'He gobbled up the pizza,' it means the pizza is completely gone and he ate it very fast. You can also use it for animals. A cat might gobble up a little mouse. It is important to know that 'gobble' is a regular verb. This means in the past, you just add '-ed' to make 'gobbled.' For example, 'Yesterday, I gobbled my lunch.' If it is happening now, you say 'gobbling.' 'Look! The bird is gobbling the seeds.' This word helps you make your English sound more natural and less like a textbook. It adds a bit of 'color' to your sentences by showing how someone is eating, not just that they are eating.

At the B1 level, you are ready to understand the nuances of 'gobble.' This word is perfect for describing actions that are a bit impolite or extremely enthusiastic. When you use 'gobble,' you are implying that the person is not using good table manners—they are eating too fast and maybe making noise. It is a great word for storytelling. For example, 'The giant gobbled the villagers' food.' You can also start using 'gobble' metaphorically. This means using it for things that are not food. If a new video game takes all your time, you can say 'This game gobbles up my free time.' If a car uses a lot of gasoline, you can say 'This old car gobbles up fuel.' This level of usage shows that you understand how English speakers use 'eating' words to describe other types of consumption. You should also be able to distinguish 'gobble' from 'nibble' (eating very small amounts) and 'savor' (eating slowly to enjoy the taste). Using 'gobble' correctly in these contexts shows that you have a good grasp of descriptive verbs and can express more complex ideas about behavior and resource use.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'gobble' and 'gobble up' in a variety of contexts, including business and social commentary. You might see this word in news articles about 'corporate greed' or 'market dominance.' For instance, 'The tech giant is known for gobbling up smaller competitors to maintain its monopoly.' Here, 'gobble' conveys a sense of aggression and speed that 'acquire' or 'buy' does not. You should also understand the register of the word. It is informal to semi-formal. While you wouldn't use it in a legal contract, you would certainly see it in a persuasive essay or a magazine article. You can also use it to describe abstract consumption in a more sophisticated way. 'The project gobbled up the entire department's budget within three months.' This implies that the spending was perhaps faster or more extensive than planned. At this level, you should also be aware of the onomatopoeic nature of the word and how it contributes to the imagery in literature. It is a word that appeals to the senses, and using it effectively can make your writing more engaging and vivid for the reader.

At the C1 level, you can appreciate the stylistic impact of 'gobble' in literature and high-level discourse. It is a word that carries a lot of 'weight' despite its seemingly simple meaning. It can evoke themes of gluttony, predatory behavior, or insatiable desire. In a literary analysis, you might discuss how a character 'gobbles' information or experiences, suggesting a lack of discernment or a desperate need for stimulation. You should also be able to use it with precise adverbs to create specific effects: 'He gobbled the news with a rapacious intensity.' Furthermore, you should be familiar with related terms like 'gobbledegook,' which refers to language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of technical terms. Although the etymology is slightly different, the 'gobble' sound is the link. At this level, your use of 'gobble' should be intentional, choosing it specifically for its connotations of haste, lack of refinement, or aggressive consumption over more neutral synonyms. You understand that 'gobble' is not just about speed, but about the *manner* and *attitude* of the consumer, whether they are eating a sandwich or taking over a company.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'gobble' and can use it to weave intricate metaphors or provide sharp social critiques. You might use it to describe the 'gobbling up' of cultural identities by globalization, or the way a black hole 'gobbles up' surrounding matter in an astrophysics context. You are aware of the word's historical development and its place within the broader spectrum of English verbs related to ingestion and destruction. You can use 'gobble' to create a sense of irony or satire—for instance, describing a politician 'gobbling up' praise while ignoring the underlying issues. Your understanding extends to the subtle differences between 'gobble' and its near-synonyms like 'quaff' (for drinking), 'ingest' (scientific), or 'appropriate' (political/social). You can manipulate the word's informal roots to create a striking contrast in a formal piece of writing, using it as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight greed or lack of control. At this stage, 'gobble' is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used not just for description, but for adding layers of meaning, tone, and perspective to your most complex communications.

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

gobble em 30 segundos

Gobble means to eat very fast and greedily, often taking big bites without much chewing.
It is also the name for the sound a male turkey makes, often written as 'gobble-gobble'.
Metaphorically, it describes using up resources like time, money, or computer memory very quickly.
The word is informal and can imply a lack of manners or intense enthusiasm for something.

The word gobble is a vivid, energetic verb that describes a specific way of eating. When someone gobbles their food, they are not just eating; they are consuming it with extreme haste, great enthusiasm, and often a noticeable lack of traditional table manners. Imagine a person who has been hiking all day without a snack; the moment they sit down in front of a warm plate of pasta, they might gobble it down in just a few minutes. The word captures the physical action of taking large mouthfuls and swallowing them quickly, sometimes without sufficient chewing. It is an onomatopoeic word in some sense, as the sound of the word itself mimics the rapid, gulping noises associated with hurried eating.

Core Concept: Speed and greed are the two primary elements. It implies that the eater is so focused on the food that they ignore social etiquette.

Beyond the literal act of eating, gobble is frequently used metaphorically. In the world of business, a large corporation might gobble up smaller competitors, meaning they acquire them rapidly and aggressively. In a domestic setting, a new hobby might gobble up all of your free time or your savings. This extension of the word maintains the original sense of 'consuming quickly and entirely,' but applies it to abstract concepts like time, money, or space. It suggests an almost insatiable appetite for whatever is being consumed.

The children were so hungry after swimming that they began to gobble their sandwiches before they even sat down.

The Turkey Connection: In English, 'gobble' is also the specific name for the sound a male turkey makes. This creates a playful linguistic link during holidays like Thanksgiving.

We watched the big bird strut around the farm and gobble loudly at the passing cars.

When using this word, consider the social context. Because it implies a lack of politeness, calling someone out for 'gobbling' their food can be seen as a mild criticism of their manners. However, in a friendly or casual setting, it might simply be a way to comment on how delicious the food is. If a chef sees guests gobbling up the meal, they usually take it as a high compliment, even if the guests are being a bit messy. The word carries a sense of raw, unfiltered enjoyment that 'dine' or 'eat' simply cannot convey.

Don't gobble your cake so fast, or you will get a stomach ache!

Visual Imagery: Think of a vacuum cleaner or a fast-moving conveyor belt. The action is continuous, rapid, and thorough.

The fire began to gobble up the dry brushwood in the backyard.

The greedy giant wanted to gobble up all the villagers' sheep.

In summary, 'gobble' is a word that bridges the gap between the animal kingdom and human behavior. It describes an instinctive, hurried way of taking in nourishment or resources. Whether you are talking about a hungry toddler with a bowl of berries, a turkey in a field, or a software program that uses too much memory, 'gobble' provides a sharp, clear image of fast and total consumption.

Using gobble correctly involves understanding its transitive and intransitive forms, as well as its common pairing with the particle 'up'. Most frequently, you will see it used as a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object—the thing being eaten. For example, 'He gobbled the pizza.' However, adding 'up' creates the phrasal verb 'gobble up,' which adds an element of completeness or intensity. 'He gobbled up the pizza' suggests that every single crumb was finished in record time. This phrasal version is extremely common in both literal and figurative contexts.

Transitive Usage: Subject + Gobble + Object. Example: 'The dog gobbled his treats.'

When you use 'gobble' to describe the sound a turkey makes, it is usually intransitive, meaning it doesn't need an object. You might say, 'The turkeys gobbled loudly in the morning.' In this case, the word describes the vocalization itself. It is important to distinguish between these two meanings based on the subject of the sentence. If the subject is a person, they are almost certainly eating. If the subject is a bird, they might be making a noise or eating, depending on the rest of the sentence.

The hungry teenagers gobbled down the burgers as if they hadn't eaten in a week.

In metaphorical sentences, 'gobble up' is the standard choice. You will often see this in financial news or tech reviews. A high-resolution screen might 'gobble up' battery life. A popular new app might 'gobble up' the market share of its older rivals. In these cases, the word 'up' is almost always present because it emphasizes the total consumption of the resource. It creates a sense of a powerful force consuming something smaller or weaker.

Phrasal Verb: Gobble Up: Used for total consumption. 'The sea gobbled up the shoreline during the storm.'

Inflation continues to gobble up the average family's savings.

You can also use 'gobble' in the progressive tense to describe an ongoing action. 'Stop gobbling!' is a common command given to children who are eating too fast. This usage highlights the behavior as it happens. Because 'gobble' is such a descriptive word, it often doesn't need many adverbs. While you can say 'gobble quickly,' the word 'gobble' already implies speed, so 'quickly' can sometimes feel redundant. Instead, use adverbs that describe the manner, like 'noisily,' 'greedily,' or 'enthusiastically.'

She was gobbling her breakfast while trying to put on her shoes.

Common Objects: Food (pizza, cookies), Resources (time, money, fuel), Abstract (attention, space).

The new highway will gobble up acres of pristine forest land.

He tends to gobble his words when he gets nervous during a speech.

Finally, remember that 'gobble' is a relatively informal word. While perfectly acceptable in conversation, storytelling, and most journalism, it might be out of place in a very formal academic paper or a legal document unless you are quoting someone. In those cases, 'consume rapidly' or 'appropriate' might be more suitable. However, for everyday English, 'gobble' is a powerful tool for adding flavor and precision to your descriptions of consumption.

The word gobble pops up in a variety of surprising places, ranging from the dinner table to the stock market. One of the most common places you will encounter it is in children's literature. Storybooks often feature monsters, giants, or hungry animals that want to 'gobble up' the protagonists. Think of the Big Bad Wolf or the troll under the bridge in 'Three Billy Goats Gruff.' In these stories, 'gobble' creates a sense of immediate danger and physical greed that is easy for children to understand. It paints a picture of a large mouth opening wide to swallow something whole.

Children's Stories: Used to describe hungry antagonists. 'I'm going to gobble you up!' is a classic fairy tale line.

Another major context is the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Because the turkey is the centerpiece of the meal, and 'gobble' is the sound a turkey makes, the word is everywhere in November. You'll see it on greeting cards, in classroom decorations, and in puns. People might say they are 'ready to gobble' the turkey, playing on both the sound the bird makes and the act of eating it. This dual meaning makes it a festive and slightly humorous word during the autumn season.

The kindergarten class made paper turkeys that said 'Gobble till you wobble!'

In the business and technology sectors, 'gobble' is used to describe aggressive growth or resource consumption. If you read a financial newspaper like the Wall Street Journal, you might see a headline about a tech giant 'gobbling up' startups to eliminate competition. This usage highlights the speed and predatory nature of the acquisitions. Similarly, tech enthusiasts might complain about a specific operating system 'gobbling up' all the RAM (Random Access Memory) on their computer, making it run slowly. In these modern contexts, the word loses its 'eating' connotation but keeps its 'fast consumption' essence.

Business & Tech: Describes acquisitions or high resource usage. 'The new software gobbles up disk space.'

Investors are worried that the merger will gobble up the company's remaining cash reserves.

You will also hear 'gobble' in casual conversations about habits and hobbies. If someone loves books, they might 'gobble up' every novel by a certain author as soon as it is released. If a student is fascinated by history, they might 'gobble up' every documentary they can find on the subject. Here, 'gobble' describes an intellectual or emotional hunger. It suggests that the person is consuming the information with the same speed and intensity that a hungry person consumes a meal. It is a way to express passion and eagerness.

She gobbled up the entire book series in just one weekend.

Nature Documentaries: Used to describe predators eating prey. 'The lizard gobbled the fly in the blink of an eye.'

The hungry chicks gobble the worms brought by their mother.

The ocean waves seemed to gobble up the sandcastle as the tide came in.

Whether it is a literal turkey, a hungry child, a greedy corporation, or a devoted fan, 'gobble' is the go-to word for describing consumption that is fast, total, and enthusiastic. It is a word that brings a sense of action and appetite to any sentence it inhabits.

While gobble is a relatively straightforward word, there are several common pitfalls that learners should avoid. The most frequent mistake is using 'gobble' in a formal setting where a more neutral word like 'eat' or 'consume' would be appropriate. Because 'gobble' implies a lack of manners, using it to describe a guest at a formal dinner party might be interpreted as an insult. Unless you are intentionally trying to be humorous or critical, it is best to save 'gobble' for casual conversations or descriptive storytelling.

Mistake 1: Formal Overuse: Using 'gobble' in professional reports or polite introductions. Better: 'The guests enjoyed the meal.'

Another common error is confusing 'gobble' with similar-sounding words like 'gargle,' 'giggle,' or 'gabble.' 'Gargle' is what you do with mouthwash; 'giggle' is a high-pitched laugh; and 'gabble' means to talk rapidly and unclearly. While they all share a similar phonetic structure, their meanings are entirely different. Learners sometimes mix these up because of the repetitive 'g' and 'b' sounds. Paying close attention to the context—eating versus speaking versus laughing—will help you keep them straight.

Incorrect: He gobbled with water after brushing his teeth. (Correct: gargled)

A nuance that is often missed is the difference between 'gobble' and 'nibble.' These are opposites. 'Nibble' means to eat in very small, cautious bites, like a mouse. 'Gobble' means to eat in large, aggressive bites. If you describe someone as 'gobbling' a tiny cracker, it sounds like a joke because the action is too big for the object. Make sure the size of the food and the intensity of the action match the word you choose.

Mistake 2: Scale Mismatch: Using 'gobble' for small, delicate foods. 'Gobble' requires something substantial to consume.

Incorrect: The mouse gobbled the tiny crumb. (Correct: nibbled)

Learners also sometimes forget that 'gobble' can be a noun, but only in the context of the turkey's sound. You cannot say 'I had a gobble of pizza.' In that case, you would use 'bite' or 'mouthful.' The noun form 'gobble' refers exclusively to the 'gobble-gobble' noise made by the bird. Using it as a noun for a portion of food is a grammatical error that will confuse native speakers.

We heard the turkey's loud gobble from across the field.

Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Gulp': 'Gulp' is usually for liquids or a single large swallow. 'Gobble' is for solid food and multiple bites.

He gobbled the steak, but he gulped the glass of water.

The machine gobbled up the coins and gave no change.

By avoiding these common mistakes—misusing the register, confusing it with similar-sounding words, mismatching the scale of the food, and using the noun form incorrectly—you can use 'gobble' with the confidence and precision of a native speaker. It is a word that adds a lot of character to your English, provided it is used in the right place and for the right reasons.

If you find yourself using gobble too often, or if it doesn't quite fit the mood of your sentence, there are several excellent alternatives. Each has a slightly different nuance. For example, devour is a more powerful and sometimes more formal word. While 'gobble' sounds a bit messy and hurried, 'devour' suggests a massive, unstoppable appetite. You might 'gobble' a snack, but a lion 'devours' its prey. 'Devour' can also be used for books or information, just like 'gobble,' but it sounds more intense and serious.

Gobble vs. Devour: 'Gobble' is informal and hurried. 'Devour' is intense, powerful, and can be formal.

Another common alternative is wolf down. This is an idiomatic expression that specifically compares the eater to a hungry wolf. It is very similar to 'gobble' in that it implies speed and a lack of manners. However, 'wolf down' is almost exclusively used for food, whereas 'gobble' has broader metaphorical uses. If you want to emphasize the animalistic nature of the eating, 'wolf down' is a great choice. Similarly, bolt means to eat so fast that you barely chew. It focuses entirely on the speed of the action.

He wolfed down his dinner so he could go back to playing video games.

For a more negative or critical tone, you might use gorge or stuff. To 'gorge' oneself means to eat a huge amount of food until you are uncomfortably full. It implies greed and overindulgence rather than just speed. 'Stuff' is similar but even more informal. If you 'stuff your face,' you are eating a lot of food very quickly and without any regard for how you look. These words are less about the speed of the individual bites and more about the total quantity of food being consumed.

Gobble vs. Gorge: 'Gobble' focuses on the fast action. 'Gorge' focuses on the excessive amount eaten.

They gorged themselves on the buffet until they could hardly move.

On the slang side, you might hear scarf or inhale. To 'scarf down' food is a very common American slang term that is almost identical to 'gobble up.' To 'inhale' food is a humorous exaggeration, suggesting that the food disappeared so fast it was like the person just breathed it in. These are perfect for very casual settings with friends. Finally, gulp is used specifically for the action of swallowing, usually for liquids or for a single, large piece of food that goes down in one go.

Slang Alternatives: 'Scarf down' (US), 'Inhale' (Exaggeration), 'Shovel in' (Describing the motion).

I was so late for the meeting that I had to scarf my lunch at my desk.

The hungry kids inhaled the cookies the moment they came out of the oven.

Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the speed (gobble, bolt, inhale), the greed (devour, gorge), the lack of manners (wolf down, scarf), or the quantity (stuff). By expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can describe any eating situation with perfect accuracy and style.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutro

Informal

Child friendly

Gíria

Curiosidade

The word is partly onomatopoeic, meaning it sounds like the action it describes. The 'gob' sound mimics the sound of swallowing, and for turkeys, it mimics the actual noise they make. It is one of the few words that perfectly describes both an eating habit and a bird's voice.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈɡɒb.əl/

US /ˈɡɑː.bəl/

The stress is on the first syllable: GOB-ble.

Rima com

wobble cobble hobble bobble squabble knobble robble dobble

Erros comuns

Pronouncing it like 'gob-bel' with a clear 'e' sound in the second syllable.
Confusing the 'o' sound with 'u' (making it sound like 'gubble').
Missing the 'b' sound in the middle.
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing it with 'gabble' (which has an 'a' sound).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially with food or birds.

Escrita 3/5

Requires understanding of phrasal verbs like 'gobble up'.

Expressão oral 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but informal register must be noted.

Audição 2/5

Clear onomatopoeic sound makes it easy to hear.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

eat fast hungry food mouth

Aprenda a seguir

devour consume acquire ingest voracious

Avançado

rapacious insatiable gluttonous predatory appropriation

Gramática essencial

Phrasal Verbs with 'Up'

Gobble up follows the pattern of many English verbs where 'up' adds a sense of completeness (e.g., drink up, eat up, finish up).

Transitive vs. Intransitive

He gobbled the pizza (transitive). The turkey gobbled (intransitive).

Onomatopoeia as Verbs

Words like 'gobble,' 'hiss,' and 'buzz' act as verbs that describe the sound they make.

Progressive Tense for Habits

He is always gobbling his food (using present continuous to show a repeated, perhaps annoying, habit).

Gerunds after 'Stop'

Stop gobbling! (The -ing form is required after the verb 'stop').

Exemplos por nível

The hungry dog will gobble the meat.

Le chien affamé va engloutir la viande.

Simple future tense with 'will'.

Do not gobble your food!

Ne dévore pas ta nourriture !

Imperative mood (giving a command).

The turkey says gobble, gobble.

Le dindon fait glouglou.

Onomatopoeia used as a verb.

I gobble my breakfast every morning.

Je dévore mon petit-déjeuner chaque matin.

Present simple for a habit.

The monster wants to gobble the cookies.

Le monstre veut engloutir les biscuits.

Infinitive 'to gobble' after 'wants'.

She gobbles the red apple.

Elle dévore la pomme rouge.

Third person singular 's'.

We gobble the pizza at the party.

Nous dévorons la pizza à la fête.

Present simple with 'we'.

The birds gobble the small seeds.

Les oiseaux dévorent les petites graines.

Plural subject with base verb.

He gobbled up the entire cake by himself.

Il a englouti tout le gâteau tout seul.

Phrasal verb 'gobble up' in past tense.

Why are you gobbling your lunch so fast?

Pourquoi manges-tu ton déjeuner si vite ?

Present continuous for current action.

The cat gobbled the fish in a minute.

Le chat a dévoré le poisson en une minute.

Past simple tense.

They gobbled down their soup because they were cold.

Ils ont englouti leur soupe parce qu'ils avaient froid.

Phrasal verb 'gobble down'.

I saw a turkey gobbling in the farmyard.

J'ai vu un dindon glouglouter dans la cour de la ferme.

Gerund '-ing' used after the verb 'saw'.

The children gobbled the candy after the game.

Les enfants ont dévoré les bonbons après le match.

Past simple tense.

Don't gobble, or you will feel sick.

Ne mange pas si vite, sinon tu vas te sentir mal.

Conditional 'or' used with a command.

The hungry bear gobbled up the berries.

L'ours affamé a englouti les baies.

Adjective 'hungry' modifying the subject.

If you gobble your food, you won't enjoy the taste.

Si tu engloutis ta nourriture, tu n'en apprécieras pas le goût.

First conditional sentence.

The new software gobbles up too much memory.

Le nouveau logiciel consomme trop de mémoire.

Metaphorical usage for technology.

He tends to gobble his words when he is nervous.

Il a tendance à bafouiller quand il est nerveux.

Metaphorical usage for speech.

The big company is trying to gobble up the smaller ones.

La grande entreprise essaie d'absorber les plus petites.

Present continuous for an ongoing attempt.

She gobbled up all the information in the textbook.

Elle a dévoré toutes les informations du manuel.

Metaphorical usage for learning.

The fire gobbled up the dry leaves in seconds.

Le feu a dévoré les feuilles sèches en quelques secondes.

Metaphorical usage for destruction.

Stop gobbling and use your fork properly.

Arrête d'engloutir et utilise ta fourchette correctement.

Gerund after the verb 'stop'.

The sea gobbled up the sandcastle as the tide rose.

La mer a englouti le château de sable quand la marée a monté.

Personification of the sea.

The rising cost of living is gobbling up people's savings.

L'augmentation du coût de la vie engloutit l'épargne des gens.

Metaphorical usage in an economic context.

He gobbled down the burger in three massive bites.

Il a englouti le burger en trois énormes bouchées.

Descriptive phrase 'in three massive bites'.

The developer gobbled up the land to build a shopping mall.

Le promoteur a accaparé le terrain pour construire un centre commercial.

Usage in real estate/business.

I gobbled up the latest mystery novel in one sitting.

J'ai dévoré le dernier roman policier d'une seule traite.

Idiom 'in one sitting'.

The engine gobbles fuel whenever I drive over sixty.

Le moteur consomme énormément de carburant dès que je dépasse les soixante.

Zero conditional for a general truth.

The media gobbled up the scandal as soon as it broke.

Les médias se sont jetés sur le scandale dès qu'il a éclaté.

Metaphorical usage for news consumption.

The monster in the movie would gobble anyone who entered the cave.

Le monstre dans le film dévorait quiconque entrait dans la grotte.

Past habit/conditional 'would'.

The garden was gobbled up by weeds over the summer.

Le jardin a été envahi par les mauvaises herbes pendant l'été.

Passive voice 'was gobbled up'.

The rapacious corporation sought to gobble up its rivals.

La corporation rapace cherchait à engloutir ses rivaux.

Use of advanced adjective 'rapacious'.

The audience gobbled up every word of the professor's lecture.

Le public a bu chaque parole de la conférence du professeur.

Metaphorical usage for intellectual interest.

The desert sun seemed to gobble up the moisture from the ground.

Le soleil du désert semblait absorber toute l'humidité du sol.

Personification of the sun.

He gobbled the steak with a ferocity that startled his dinner guests.

Il a dévoré le steak avec une férocité qui a surpris ses convives.

Descriptive noun phrase 'with a ferocity'.

The project was gobbled up by bureaucratic delays.

Le projet a été englouti par les retards bureaucratiques.

Passive voice with abstract agent.

She gobbled up the opportunity to study abroad.

Elle a sauté sur l'occasion d'étudier à l'étranger.

Metaphorical usage for seizing an opportunity.

The darkness seemed to gobble up the light of the small candle.

L'obscurité semblait engloutir la lumière de la petite bougie.

Literary personification.

The machine gobbles data at an incredible rate.

La machine traite les données à une vitesse incroyable.

Technical metaphorical usage.

The insatiable void of the black hole gobbles up entire star systems.

Le vide insatiable du trou noir engloutit des systèmes stellaires entiers.

Usage in a scientific/cosmic context.

The critic noted how the protagonist gobbles life with a desperate hunger.

Le critique a noté comment le protagoniste dévore la vie avec une faim désespérée.

Literary analysis context.

The city’s sprawl continues to gobble up the surrounding countryside.

L'étalement urbain continue de grignoter la campagne environnante.

Usage in urban planning/sociology.

He gobbled the praise, oblivious to the sarcasm behind it.

Il s'est délecté des éloges, ignorant le sarcasme qui s'y cachait.

Metaphorical usage for social interaction.

The revolution threatened to gobble up its own children.

La révolution menaçait de dévorer ses propres enfants.

Famous historical/political metaphor.

The software update gobbled up the legacy system's functionality.

La mise à jour logicielle a absorbé les fonctionnalités de l'ancien système.

Technical/Business transition context.

She gobbled up the challenge with a tenacity that few could match.

Elle a relevé le défi avec une ténacité que peu pouvaient égaler.

Metaphorical usage for overcoming obstacles.

The flames gobbled the ancient library, erasing centuries of history.

Les flammes ont dévoré l'ancienne bibliothèque, effaçant des siècles d'histoire.

Evocative literary description.

Colocações comuns

gobble up

gobble down

gobble greedily

gobble noisily

gobble resources

gobble market share

gobble a meal

gobble sweets

gobble whole

gobble up time

Frases Comuns

ready to gobble

gobble till you wobble

gobble it all

stop your gobbling

gobble up the news

gobble up space

gobble up data

gobble up the road

gobble up the competition

gobble up a book

Frequentemente confundido com

gobble vs gabble

Gabble means to talk quickly and unclearly. Gobble is about eating or turkey sounds.

gobble vs gargle

Gargle is to wash your throat with liquid. Gobble is to swallow food.

gobble vs giggle

Giggle is a small laugh. Gobble is a way of eating.

Expressões idiomáticas

"gobble up"

To use something in such large amounts that it disappears quickly.

The renovation gobbled up all our savings.

informal

"gobbledegook"

Language that is meaningless or made unintelligible by excessive use of technical terms.

The legal contract was full of gobbledegook.

informal

"to gobble like a turkey"

To make a sound similar to a turkey, often used to describe someone laughing or talking strangely.

He started to gobble like a turkey when he heard the joke.

informal

"gobble down"

To eat something very fast.

She gobbled down her dinner and ran out the door.

informal

"gobble up the miles"

To travel a long distance very quickly.

The new train gobbles up the miles between the cities.

informal

"gobble up the scenery"

To act with excessive emotion or exaggeration (usually 'chew the scenery').

The actor really gobbled up the scenery in that dramatic death scene.

informal/arts

"gobble up the limelight"

To take all the attention for oneself.

The lead singer always tries to gobble up the limelight.

informal

"gobble up the oxygen"

To dominate a conversation or situation so that others cannot participate.

His loud personality gobbled up all the oxygen in the room.

informal

"gobble up the profits"

When expenses are so high that they take away all the money a company makes.

High taxes are gobbling up our profits this year.

business

"gobble up the ground"

To run or move very fast.

The horse gobbled up the ground as it neared the finish line.

informal

Fácil de confundir

gobble vs gulp

Both involve fast swallowing.

Gulp is usually a single large swallow, often of liquid. Gobble involves multiple bites and is usually for solid food.

He gulped the juice but gobbled the toast.

gobble vs devour

Both mean eating fast and completely.

Devour is more intense and can be formal or literary. Gobble is more informal and often implies a lack of manners.

The flames devoured the house; the boy gobbled the pie.

gobble vs nibble

They are both verbs for eating.

They are opposites. Nibble is small, slow bites. Gobble is large, fast bites.

The mouse nibbles cheese, but the wolf gobbles meat.

gobble vs scarf

Both mean eating very fast.

Scarf (usually 'scarf down') is much more informal/slang. Gobble is a standard descriptive word.

I gobbled my lunch; he scarfed his down in the car.

gobble vs quaff

Both relate to consuming something.

Quaff is specifically for drinking large amounts of liquid with enjoyment. Gobble is for eating solid food.

They quaffed their ale while gobbling their mutton.

Padrões de frases

Subject + gobble + food.

The boy gobbles the cake.

Subject + gobbled up + object.

She gobbled up the cookies.

Subject + gobble up + resource.

This car gobbles up gas.

Stop + gobbling!

Stop gobbling your dinner!

Subject + be + gobbling up + object.

The company is gobbling up its rivals.

Subject + gobble + object + with + adverbial phrase.

He gobbled the news with great excitement.

Object + be + gobbled up + by + agent.

The budget was gobbled up by the new project.

Metaphorical Subject + gobble + abstract object.

The darkness gobbled the remaining light.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Como usar

frequency

Common in everyday speech, children's books, and business journalism.

Erros comuns

He gobbled with the water. → He gargled with the water.
Gobble is for eating; gargle is for rinsing your throat.
I took a gobble of the pizza. → I took a bite of the pizza.
Gobble is a verb for eating, not a noun for a piece of food.
The mouse gobbled the tiny seed. → The mouse nibbled the tiny seed.
Gobble implies large, fast bites, which doesn't fit a tiny mouse or a tiny seed.
He gobbled the milk. → He gulped the milk.
We generally use 'gulp' or 'chug' for liquids, and 'gobble' for solids.
The turkey made a gabble sound. → The turkey made a gobble sound.
Gabble is for human speech; gobble is for the turkey's specific cry.

Dicas

Use for Hunger

Use 'gobble' when you want to show that someone is extremely hungry. It is more descriptive than 'eat fast'.

Pair with 'Up'

Remember that 'gobble up' is the most natural-sounding version for most metaphorical and literal uses.

Turkey Sound

If you are writing about a farm or Thanksgiving, 'gobble' is the perfect word for the turkey's voice.

Be Careful with Manners

Don't tell your boss they are 'gobbling' their lunch unless you have a very close, joking relationship!

Business Context

Use 'gobble up' to describe a company buying smaller ones. It sounds more dynamic and aggressive than 'purchase'.

Show, Don't Tell

Instead of saying 'He was hungry,' say 'He gobbled his dinner.' It shows the hunger through the action.

The Syllabic L

The end of the word sounds like 'ul' in 'bull.' Practice saying 'gob-ul'.

Gobble vs. Nibble

Keep these two as opposites in your mind to help remember both. Big bites vs. tiny bites.

Resource Usage

When your phone is slow, check which apps are 'gobbling up' your battery or RAM.

Gobbledegook

Use this fun word to describe confusing instructions or legal documents that make no sense.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a **Gob**lin who likes to **gob**ble up gold. Goblins are greedy and fast, just like the word gobble.

Associação visual

Imagine a turkey wearing a bib, sitting at a table, and eating a giant plate of corn in two seconds. The sound 'gobble-gobble' and the fast eating are joined together.

Word Web

Eat Fast Turkey Greedy Mouthful Hungry Up Down

Desafio

Try to use 'gobble' in three different ways today: once for food, once for the turkey sound, and once for a resource like time or money.

Origem da palavra

The word 'gobble' originated in the late 16th century. It is believed to be a frequentative form of the word 'gob,' which meant a mouthful or a lump. The suffix '-le' was added to indicate a repeated or continuous action. It is also likely influenced by the French word 'gober,' which means to swallow or gulp down.

Significado original: To swallow greedily or in large lumps.

Germanic/Romance influence (English/French).

Contexto cultural

Be careful using 'gobble' to describe how a person eats, as it can be seen as a criticism of their manners.

The word is very common in nursery rhymes and fairy tales, often used by villains.

The Big Bad Wolf in various stories often threatens to 'gobble up' characters. Thanksgiving cards and decorations frequently use the 'gobble' pun. The term 'gobbledegook' was coined by Maury Maverick in 1944 to describe confusing official language.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At the dinner table

Don't gobble your food.
He gobbled it all up.
Slow down, don't gobble.
You're gobbling like a wolf!

Talking about technology

This app gobbles battery.
It gobbles up memory.
Data-gobbling software.
Gobbling up bandwidth.

Business news

Gobbling up startups.
Market share gobbling.
Aggressive gobbling of rivals.
Gobbling up profits.

Nature and animals

The turkey gobbled.
The lizard gobbled the bug.
Birds gobbling seeds.
Hungry animals gobbling.

Reading and learning

Gobbling up books.
She gobbled the news.
Gobbling up information.
He gobbled every word.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Do you ever find yourself gobbling your lunch when you're busy?"

"What's a book or series that you just gobbled up recently?"

"Does your computer have any apps that gobble up all the memory?"

"Have you ever heard a real turkey gobble in person?"

"What food is so delicious that you can't help but gobble it down?"

Temas para diário

Describe a time when you were so hungry that you gobbled your meal. What were you eating?

Write about a hobby or interest that gobbles up most of your free time. Why do you enjoy it?

In your opinion, which modern companies are 'gobbling up' too much of the market?

If you were a character in a fairy tale, what would be the most frightening thing that could gobble you up?

Reflect on the phrase 'gobble till you wobble.' Is overeating a big part of your culture's holidays?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is not a swear word, but it can be slightly rude if you use it to describe how someone else is eating, as it suggests they have bad manners. It is best used for yourself, for animals, or in a joking way with friends.

Usually, no. For drinks, we use 'gulp,' 'quaff,' or 'chug.' 'Gobble' is almost always used for solid food because it implies chewing and taking bites.

'Gobble' describes the action of eating fast. 'Gobble up' emphasizes that the food was finished completely. In metaphorical use, 'gobble up' is much more common.

No, that is just one meaning. It is very commonly used for humans eating fast and for businesses taking over other businesses.

Yes, but only when referring to the sound a turkey makes. You can say 'We heard a loud gobble.' You cannot use it as a noun for food.

Yes, the word was created to sound like the meaningless 'gobbling' noise of a turkey, representing confusing and meaningless speech.

It is generally considered a B1 level word. It is a common descriptive verb that learners should know to move beyond basic words like 'eat'.

It is 'gobbled.' Since it ends in 'e,' you just add 'd'.

It is better to say 'I am gobbling up a book.' The 'up' makes the metaphor of 'consuming' the information clearer.

A 'gobbler' is a common name for a male turkey. It can also informally mean someone who eats very fast.