chaw up

"chaw up" is an old or dialect word meaning to do for; to finish or use up. If your teen uses it, they have most likely picked it up from a book, video game, period drama, or a regional grandparent rather than a modern peer group. There is no cause for concern here; the word is largely out of contemporary teen usage. If it appears in a school text, it is being studied for vocabulary or historical context. You can treat it like any other archaic vocabulary item.

"chaw up" is obsolete or literary English meaning to do for; to finish or use up. It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "to do for" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to use "chaw up" in modern conversation; it will sound strange or theatrical. Recognise it in older texts, but use the modern equivalent when speaking. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.