chop1

[chop] /tʃɒp/
verb (used with object), chopped, chopping.
1.
to cut or sever with a quick, heavy blow or a series of blows, using an ax, hatchet, etc. (often followed by down, off, etc.):
to chop down a tree.
2.
to make or prepare for use by so cutting:
to chop logs.
3.
to cut in pieces; mince (often followed by up):
to chop up an onion; to chop meat.
4.
(in tennis, cricket, etc.) to hit (a ball) with a chop stroke.
5.
to weed and thin out (growing cotton) with a hoe.
6.
Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to attack and kill (a fox that has not begun to run).
verb (used without object), chopped, chopping.
7.
to make a quick, heavy stroke or a series of strokes, as with an ax.
8.
Boxing. to throw or deliver a short blow, especially a downward one while in a clinch.
9.
(in tennis, cricket, etc.) to employ or deliver a chop stroke.
10.
to go, come, or move suddenly or violently.
noun
11.
an act or instance of chopping.
12.
a cutting blow.
13.
Boxing. a short blow, especially a downward one, executed while in a clinch.
14.
a piece chopped off.
15.
an individual cut or portion of meat, as mutton, lamb, veal, or pork, usually one containing a rib.
16.
crushed or ground grain used as animal feed.
17.
a short, irregular, broken motion of waves; choppiness:
There's too much chop for rowing today.
18.
rough, turbulent water, as of a sea or lake.
19.
chop stroke.
Idioms
20.
chop / cut down to size. cut (def 89).
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English choppen; variant of chap1
Synonyms
1. See cut.

chop2

[chop] /tʃɒp/
verb (used without object), chopped, chopping.
1.
to turn, shift, or change suddenly:
The wind chopped to the west.
2.
to vacillate; change one's mind.
3.
Obsolete.
  1. to barter.
  2. to bandy words; argue.
Idioms
4.
chop logic, to reason or dispute argumentatively; draw unnecessary distinctions.
Origin
1425-75; variant of obsolete chap barter, Middle English chappen (with vowel as in chapman), chepen, Old English cēapian to trade (derivative of cēap sale, trade; see cheap)

chop3

[chop] /tʃɒp/
noun
1.
Usually, chops. the jaw.
2.
chops.
  1. the oral cavity; mouth.
  2. Slang. the embouchure or technique necessary to play a wind instrument.
  3. Slang. musical ability on any instrument, especially in playing jazz or rock; technical virtuosity.
  4. Slang. the music or musical part played by an instrumentalist, especially a solo passage.
3.
an entranceway, as into a body of water.
4.
Horology. either of two pieces clasping the end of the suspension spring of a pendulum.
Idioms
5.
bust one's chops, Slang. to exert oneself.
6.
bust someone's chops, Slang. to annoy with nagging or criticism:
Stop busting my chops—I'll get the job done.
7.
lick one's chops, to await with pleasure; anticipate; relish:
He was already licking his chops over the expected inheritance.
Also, chap.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English; perhaps special use of chop1

chop4

[chop] /tʃɒp/
noun
1.
an official stamp or seal, or a permit or clearance, especially as formerly used in India and China.
2.
a design, corresponding to a brand or trademark, stamped on goods to indicate their identity or quality.
3.
the signature stamp of an artist, printmaker, etc., testifying to the authenticity of a work.
4.
quality, class, or grade:
a musician of the first chop.
Origin
1605-15; < Hindi chāp impression, stamp
Examples from the web for chops
  • The extraordinary effort, he says, was triggered by a music teacher who suggested that he didn't have the chops for it.
  • These eight ribs are cut into chops and are known as rib chops.
  • On the edges of a sheep farm, a coyote lurks, licking his chops.
  • Barbecued pork sausage is the specialty here, though you'll find chops and brisket as well.
  • In their system, there is no reason a ne'er-do-well with some hacking chops couldn't get themselves hired into this company.
  • Leftover marmalade is also terrific on pork chops and roast beef.
  • Leftover marmalade is terrific on pork chops and roast beef.
  • He's got chops, you might say, and many admirers among his colleagues on the federal bench.
  • And he also has the governing chops to take on the chief executive.
  • Readers with serious public-health chops, this is your time to shine.
British Dictionary definitions for chops

chops

/tʃɒps/
plural noun
1.
the jaws or cheeks; jowls
2.
the mouth
3.
(slang)
  1. (music) embouchure
  2. (jazz) skill
4.
(informal) lick one's chops, to anticipate with pleasure
Word Origin
C16: of uncertain origin

chop1

/tʃɒp/
verb chops, chopping, chopped
1.
often foll by down or off. to cut (something) with a blow from an axe or other sharp tool
2.
(transitive) to produce or make in this manner: to chop firewood
3.
(transitive) often foll by up. to cut into pieces
4.
(transitive) (Brit, informal) to dispense with or reduce
5.
(intransitive) to move quickly or violently
6.
(sport) to hit (a ball) sharply downwards
7.
(boxing, martial arts) to punch or strike (an opponent) with a short sharp blow
8.
(W African) an informal word for eat
noun
9.
a cutting blow
10.
the act or an instance of chopping
11.
a piece chopped off
12.
a slice of mutton, lamb, or pork, generally including a rib
13.
(Austral & NZ, slang) a share (esp in the phrase get or hop in for one's chop)
14.
(W African) an informal word for food
15.
(Austral & NZ) a competition of skill and speed in chopping logs
16.
(sport) a sharp downward blow or stroke
17.
(Austral & NZ, informal) not much chop, not much good; poor
18.
(slang) the chop, dismissal from employment
Word Origin
C16: variant of chap1

chop2

/tʃɒp/
verb chops, chopping, chopped
1.
(intransitive) to change direction suddenly; vacillate (esp in the phrase chop and change)
2.
(obsolete) to barter
3.
chop logic, to use excessively subtle or involved logic or argument
Word Origin
Old English ceapian to barter; see cheap, chapman

chop3

/tʃɒp/
noun
1.
a design stamped on goods as a trademark, esp in the Far East
Word Origin
C17: from Hindi chhāp
Word Origin and History for chops
n.

"jaws, sides of the face," c.1500, perhaps a variant of chaps (n.2) in the same sense, which is of unknown origin.

chop

v.

"to cut with a quick blow," mid-14c., of uncertain origin, perhaps from Old North French choper (Old French coper "to cut, cut off," 12c., Modern French couper), from Vulgar Latin *cuppare "to behead," from a root meaning "head," but influenced in Old French by couper "to strike." Related: Chopped; chopping.

"shift quickly," 1530s, earlier "to bargain" (early 15c.), ultimately from Old English ceapian "to bargain" (see cheap); here with a sense of "changing back and forth," probably from common expressions such as to chop and change "barter." To chop logic is recorded from 1570s. Related: Chopped; chopping.

n.

"act of chopping," mid-14c., from chop (v.1). Meaning "piece cut off" is mid-15c.; specifically "slice of meat" from mid-17c. Sense of "a blow, strike" is from 1550s.

Slang definitions & phrases for chops

chops

noun
  1. (also chaps) The jaws; the mouth; the cheeks beside the mouth; jowls: old turkey with pendulous chops/ Open your chops and sing (1500+)
  2. Musical technique or ability: With electronically amplified music you lose your chops, your right hand, you lose your dexterity (1960s+ Jazz musicians)
  3. Talent or skill in general: We'll see what kind of chops they got/ First of all, you got the chops for it, bod-wise
Related Terms

ax, bat one's gums, break chops, break someone's chops, bust one's ass, lick one's chops

[senses related to skill fr notion of a jazz musician's lips, chops, the essential for technique in ''blowing'' the instrument]


chop

noun
  1. Grade or quality: The food here is first chop
  2. A rude or mean-spirited remark: a chop to the innocent girl

[1823+; fr Hindi, ''seal'']


Idioms and Phrases with chops

chops

see: