chops

/ tʃɒps /

plural noun

1. the jaws or cheeks; jowls

2. the mouth

3. slang

   1. music embouchure

   2. jazz skill

4. informal,  to anticipate with pleasure

Word History and Origins

Origin of chops¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

see break one's ass (chops); lick one's chops.

Example Sentences

She looked puzzled for a moment—no doubt she had never sniffed an ostrich before —and licked her chops with enthusiasm.

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He said Wall Street “would be licking their chops and delighted to give us the capital.”

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During the pandemic, Benante had worked with Harvey on covers of songs by Tom Petty and Massive Attack, so he knew she had the chops to sing in a variety of styles.

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Another early highlight, Reliquia, chops and splices a chamber quartet into unrecognisable electronic patterns, as Rosalía reconciles herself to the idea that she loves too hard, and locates the beauty in that vulnerability.

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She no longer cooks her mother's old recipes -- rabbit in mustard sauce, pork chops -- for her grandchildren.

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Related Words

• aptitude 
• competence 
• dexterity 
• efficiency 
• expertise 
• know-how 
• knowledge 
• mastery 
• savvy 
• skill