What does chivvying mean?
Chivvying is the act of persistently urging, hurrying, or nagging someone into action. It describes that familiar dynamic of repeated prodding — a parent chivvying children out of the door on a school morning, a manager chivvying a team toward a deadline, or a sheepdog chivvying a flock along. The word is chiefly British and informal in register, carrying a mildly humorous, often affectionate connotation rather than one of genuine hostility; it suggests energetic, well-meaning badgering more than cruel harassment. It functions as the present participle and gerund of the verb 'chivvy' (also spelled 'chivy' or 'chevy'), whose origin is generally linked to 'Chevy Chase', the name of an old English ballad describing a chase or pursuit, ultimately giving the word its sense of driving someone onward. For anyone writing about everyday persuasion and gentle pressure, 'chivvying' offers a vivid, characterful alternative to plainer words like 'nagging' or 'pushing'.
verb (present participle and gerund)The act of persistently urging, hurrying, or nagging someone to do something; pestering or harassing someone with repeated demands or prompts.
- To hurry, urge, or nag someone repeatedly in order to make them move faster or do something.
- To harass or pester someone persistently.
"She spent the whole morning chivvying the children out of the house and into the car."
"He kept chivvying his team to meet the deadline before Friday."
"The sheepdog was chivvying the flock toward the pen."
'Chivvying' likely traces back to the old ballad 'Chevy Chase' — so every time you nag someone to hurry up, you're echoing a medieval hunting song.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chivvying
Chivvying is the present participle of 'chivvy', an informal verb that emerged in English in the mid-19th century, most commonly in British usage. Its origin is generally traced to 'Chevy Chase', the title of a popular ballad recounting a hunt or pursuit on the Cheviot Hills borderland between England and Scotland; the associated verb 'chevy' or 'chivy' meant to chase or pursue, later shifting toward the modern sense of hustling or nagging someone along. Variant spellings such as 'chivy' and 'chevy' remain current alongside 'chivvy'.
Related word forms
How chivvying is actually used
Informal and colloquial, especially in British English. The verb has variant spellings including 'chivy' and 'chevy'. The tone is usually mildly humorous or affectionate rather than harsh, suggesting good-natured badgering rather than serious harassment.
Easily confused with chivvying
Skivvying means performing menial domestic chores (from 'skivvy', a servant), whereas chivvying means nagging or urging someone to hurry or act.