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cop

n. · v.
US //ˈkɑp// UK //kˈɒp// cop
  1. 1 police officer (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal Law

    an informal word for a police officer.

    an informal term for a police officer or, less commonly, a prison guard.

    Example

    The driver slowed down as soon as he saw a cop parked by the side of the road.

    Example

    The veteran cop had patrolled these streets for twenty years and knew every shopkeeper by name.
  2. 2 to get or buy (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    to get, buy, or find something, especially something that is hard to find.

    to obtain or purchase an item; frequently used in the context of limited-edition goods or illicit substances.

    Example

    He managed to cop a pair of the new sneakers before they sold out online.

    Example

    Collectors queued for hours outside the boutique, hoping to cop the limited-edition vinyl release before stocks were exhausted.
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  1. 3 to receive blame (v.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal

    to receive or take something unpleasant, like blame or a punishment.

    to receive or be forced to shoulder something, typically blame, criticism, or a legal penalty.

    Example

    The manager had to cop the blame when the project failed to meet its deadline.

    Example

    The junior clerk was left to cop the flak for the accounting error, despite having followed his supervisor's explicit instructions.
  2. 4 to admit to something (v.)
    C1 Advanced American English Informal

    to admit that you did something wrong or committed a crime.

    to confess or admit to a wrongdoing; often used in the phrase 'cop to'.

    Example

    He finally decided to cop to the mistake instead of letting his friend take the fall.

    Example

    After hours of questioning, the suspect finally copped to his involvement in the robbery, leading the detectives to the hidden evidence.
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