chop

chopverb

To chop something is to cut it with quick, hard strokes, or to make it much smaller.

1. cut into piecescut something into pieces with a knife or another sharp tool

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Chop the onions and cook them in a little oil. V + obj
   • He chopped the carrots into small pieces. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Can you help me chop the vegetables? V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun chop onions, chop vegetables, chop herbs

   verb + adverb chop finely, chop roughly

   verb + preposition chop something into pieces

   Compare cut (cut is the general word; chop means cutting again and again into pieces)

   For translators (sense 1)

   Meaning across languages Some languages have one verb for all cutting. English uses chop for quick, repeated cuts that make pieces, and slice for thin, flat pieces.

2. with an axecut something such as wood or a tree by hitting it hard with a heavy tool that has a sharp edge

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • They chopped wood for the fire. V + obj
   • She chopped at the branch until it fell. V + prep + obj
   • We could hear someone chopping in the forest.

   Collocations

   verb + noun chop wood, chop logs

   verb + preposition chop at something, chop through something

3. reducereduce the size or amount of something by a large amount, or remove part of it

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] usually passive [usually passive] informal

   • The company chopped its prices to win back customers. V + obj
   • Two scenes were chopped from the movie. usually passive
   • Our budget has been chopped in half. usually passive

   Collocations

   phrase chop something in half

   Synonyms cut

See also chop down (cut a tree so that it falls to the ground); chop up (cut something into small pieces)