26984 words

chop

14 definitions • 20 examples
1
to cut something into pieces with an axe, knife, or other sharp instrument:

Examples:

He was chopping wood in the yard.
chop something up Chop up the onions and carrots roughly.
informal Laura had her hair chopped (= cut) yesterday.
2
If something is chopped in business, it is stopped or reduced:

Examples:

Because of lack of funding many long-term research projects are being chopped.
3
In cricket or baseball, if you chop a ball, you hit it firmly downward:

Examples:

He chopped the ball on to his stumps.
I chop the ball in that little funnel right between the third baseman and the shortstop.
4
a small piece of meat with a bone still in it:

Examples:

a lamb/pork chop
5
an act of cutting something with an axe, knife, or other sharp instrument
6
the situation in which your job is taken away from you, either because you have done something wrong or as a way of saving money:

Examples:

for the chop If you're late for work again, you'll be for the chop.
get the chop Anyone stepping out of line is liable to get the chop.
be given the chop Hundreds of workers at the factory have already been given the chop.
7
the ending of a factory, school, etc. or plan:

Examples:

be for the chop When the reorganization occurs, the smaller departments will be the first for the chop.
face the chop Many of these special schools are facing the chop.
8
the area of the face surrounding the mouth of a person or an animal:

Examples:

9

Examples:

The players show their jazz chops and modern sensibility.
10
the ability, skill, or experience needed to do something well:

Examples:

She just doesn't have the chops for this demanding role.
11
to cut something into pieces with a sharp tool, such as an ax:

Examples:

Cal went out to chop some wood for the fireplace.
12
To chop something off is to separate it from what it was part of by cutting:

Examples:

Chop the ends off the carrots.
13
If you chop up something, you cut it into small pieces:

Examples:

She chopped up some celery for the salad.
14
a small piece of meat with a bone still in it:

Examples:

a lamb/pork/veal chop

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