What it means
A slightly old-school, wink-wink way to say cheers when glasses clink. In Britain it can sound a bit posh, a bit pantomime, so people often say it with a grin rather than dead serious. You still hear it at weddings, family get-togethers, and the odd pub toast. It can also pop up as a cheeky little goodbye.
Usage examples
"Nan’s poured the prosecco, Dave’s on a lukewarm lager, and the kid’s got squash in a wine glass. We clink and go chin-chin."
"Glasses up, everyone, chin-chin and happy birthday!"
"He raised his pint, said chin-chin, and headed for the door."
"Right then, glasses up, chin-chin, and let's pretend this hotel wine's not tragic."
"She did a tiny little prosecco clink, went chin-chin, then vanished off to find the aunties."
Where it comes from
In English, chin-chin was borrowed in the 19th century from a Chinese form used as a greeting or polite salutation, picked up through contact in ports and trade. British speakers then turned it into a jaunty drinking toast. These days it often lands with a playful, slightly posh wink.
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