chop-chop

[ chop-chop ]

/ ˈtʃɒpˈtʃɒp /

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See synonyms for chop-chop on Thesaurus.com

adverb

with haste; quickly.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of chop-chop

1825–35; repetitive compound based on Chinese Pidgin English chop quick, of uncertain origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chop-chop in a sentence

He holds up his right hand—“A short chop right above the bridge of the nose”—and gives up a laugh.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the same block, Northland Chop Suey, a Chinese restaurant, has been looted at least two times.
Ferguson's Other Race Problem: Riots Damaged Asian-Owned Stores|Tim Mak|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The nation that once revered him threatened to chop him up and fry him into calamari.
The Amazing Tale of Paul the Psychic Octopus: Germany’s World Cup Soothsayer|Emily Shire|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He says he can chop about three an hour, and two face cords translates to 36 barrels.
Brooklyn’s Booming Firewood Industry|Dale Eisinger|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

You see people in war paint or doing the tomahawk chop and saying, “Scalp him.”
Amanda Blackhorse Is ‘Confident’ Snyder Will Lose His Redskins Appeal|Robert Silverman|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They took their chop or steak at their inn or hotel, or visited the tripe houses.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
"No sabby lead chop till ploddem withee dipper," explained the Chinaman, imperturbably.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Not far away from the sloop could be seen plainly that tiny chop-sea which is caused by the breaking of a school of mackerel.
The Rival Campers|Ruel Perley Smith
One old tree, split by a winter storm, I decided to chop down entirely.
The Idyl of Twin Fires|Walter Prichard Eaton
M. Noel, in a dress-coat, very dark skinned and with mutton-chop whiskers, came forward to meet us.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet

British Dictionary definitions for chop-chop

chop chop

adverb

pidgin English for quicklySee quickly

Word Origin for chop chop

C19: from Chinese dialect; related to Cantonese kap kap

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012