walk and chew gum at the same time

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word walk and chew gum at the same time. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word walk and chew gum at the same time, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say walk and chew gum at the same time in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word walk and chew gum at the same time you have here. The definition of the word walk and chew gum at the same time will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofwalk and chew gum at the same time, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Verb

walk and chew gum at the same time (third-person singular simple present walks and chews gum at the same time, present participle walking and chewing gum at the same time, simple past and past participle walked and chewed gum at the same time)

  1. (idiomatic, informal, chiefly in the negative) To do two normally trivial tasks at the same time; to exhibit basic competence or task-management skills.

Usage notes

  • Used in negative phrases to indicate incompetence, e.g. "He couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time."
    • 1978, United States Federal Trade Commission, Statutes and Court Decisions, Federal Trade Commission:
      The philosophy communicated to T.E.C. salesmen was to enroll any person who could "walk and chew gum at the same time".