chop
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to cut something into small pieces using a knife, axe, or other sharp tool.
v.to cut something into pieces with repeated, forceful strokes of a sharp instrument.
Simple“Please chop the onions into small cubes while I heat the pan.”
In context“The chef demonstrated how to chop the herbs finely without bruising the delicate leaves.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to reduce the size of something or remove a part of it suddenly.
v.to reduce, shorten, or eliminate a portion of something, often used figuratively regarding budgets or text.
Simple“The company had to chop its marketing budget by half this year.”
In context“The editor decided to chop the final two paragraphs to ensure the article fit on a single page.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a thick slice of meat, usually including a piece of bone.
n.a small cut of meat, typically from the rib, shoulder, or loin of a pig, lamb, or sheep.
Simple“We are having grilled lamb chops with vegetables for dinner.”
In context“The butcher recommended the pork chops, noting that the bone-in cut would retain more moisture during the roasting process.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.small, rough waves on the surface of the water caused by wind.
n.a condition of surface water characterized by short, irregular, and often wind-driven waves.
Simple“The boat bounced uncomfortably because of the heavy chop in the bay.”
In context“Despite the significant chop on the lake's surface, the experienced sailors managed to maintain a steady course toward the harbour.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of losing your job.
n.the termination of employment; typically used with the definite article in the phrase 'get the chop'.
Simple“He was worried about getting the chop after the company lost its biggest client.”
In context“Rumours of a corporate restructure led many senior managers to fear they might be next to get the chop.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
n.an official stamp or seal used on documents.
n.an official seal or stamp, or the mark made by one, used to authenticate documents.
Simple“The clerk placed a red chop on the contract to show it was approved.”
In context“The document is not legally binding until the company chop has been applied to the signature page.”
UsageCommon in Asian English varieties, particularly in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Teacher's tipThis sense is standard in Southeast Asian business contexts but may be unfamiliar to speakers of American or British English.
From Middle English choppen, chappen (“to chop”), of uncertain origin, possibly onomatopoeic, or a variant of chap (“to become cracked”). Cognate with Scots chap (“to chop”). Compare also Saterland Frisian kappe, kapje (“to hack; chop; lop off”), Dutch kappen (“to chop, cut, hew”), German Low German kappen (“to cut off; clip”), German kappen (“to cut; clip”), German dialectal chapfen, kchapfen (“to chop into small pieces”), Albanian copë (“piece, chunk”), Old English *ċippian (in forċippian (“to cut off”)). Perhaps related to chip.
Uncertain, perhaps a variant of chap (“cheap”). Compare Middle English copen (“to buy”), Dutch kopen (“to buy”).
From Middle English choppe (“jaw, jawbone”), related to Middle English cheppe (“one side of the jaw, chap”). Perhaps ultimately related to Etymology 1 above.
Borrowed from Hindi छाप (chāp, “stamp”). Closely related to the similarly descended Malay word cap, which likely reinforced the English usage within the Malay world.
Shortening.
Shortening of chopper.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.