chop

Definition

To cut something into pieces with a sharp tool using strong downward movements. It is often used for food, wood, or repeated cutting motions.

Usage & Nuances

Common collocations include 'chop vegetables', 'chop wood', and 'chop into small pieces'. 'Cut' is more general; 'chop' suggests stronger, repeated motion. In conversation, 'chop' can also appear in fixed phrases in some varieties of English, but the basic verb usually refers to physical cutting.

Example Sentences