# chop

/ˈtʃɑp/ (US) · /tʃˈɒp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chop
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to cut into pieces

verb · CEFR B1

to cut something into small pieces using a knife, axe, or other sharp tool.

For teachers: to cut something into pieces with repeated, forceful strokes of a sharp instrument.

- Please chop the onions into small cubes while I heat the pan.
- The chef demonstrated how to chop the herbs finely without bruising the delicate leaves.

### 2. to reduce or remove

verb · CEFR B2

to reduce the size of something or remove a part of it suddenly.

For teachers: to reduce, shorten, or eliminate a portion of something, often used figuratively regarding budgets or text.

- The company had to chop its marketing budget by half this year.
- The editor decided to chop the final two paragraphs to ensure the article fit on a single page.

### 3. meat

noun · CEFR B1

a thick slice of meat, usually including a piece of bone.

For teachers: a small cut of meat, typically from the rib, shoulder, or loin of a pig, lamb, or sheep.

- We are having grilled lamb chops with vegetables for dinner.
- The butcher recommended the pork chops, noting that the bone-in cut would retain more moisture during the roasting process.

### 4. rough water

noun · CEFR B2

small, rough waves on the surface of the water caused by wind.

For teachers: a condition of surface water characterized by short, irregular, and often wind-driven waves.

- The boat bounced uncomfortably because of the heavy chop in the bay.
- Despite the significant chop on the lake's surface, the experienced sailors managed to maintain a steady course toward the harbour.

### 5. the sack

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

the act of losing your job.

For teachers: the termination of employment; typically used with the definite article in the phrase 'get the chop'.

- He was worried about getting the chop after the company lost its biggest client.
- Rumours of a corporate restructure led many senior managers to fear they might be next to get the chop.

### 6. official stamp

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

an official stamp or seal used on documents.

For teachers: an official seal or stamp, or the mark made by one, used to authenticate documents.

- The clerk placed a red chop on the contract to show it was approved.
- The document is not legally binding until the company chop has been applied to the signature page.

Usage: Common in Asian English varieties, particularly in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Teaching tip: This sense is standard in Southeast Asian business contexts but may be unfamiliar to speakers of American or British English.

## Examples

- Please chop the onions into small pieces for the soup.
- The chef showed the students how to chop the herbs finely without bruising the leaves.
- Before the winter storms arrived, the villagers spent weeks in the forest to chop enough firewood to last until the spring thaw.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.