pop
verb (used without object)
to make a short, quick, explosive sound.
had been popping
-
past perfect progressiveof pop.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indigenous peoples in South America had been popping corn for millennia, but it didn’t reach the U.S. until the 19th century, when whalers returned from South America with the whole grain in tow.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
Jason had been popping up occasionally at the homes of relatives and his girlfriend, never staying long.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2024
Since March, research studies and treatment centers had been popping up across the country to help unravel Covid’s long-term mystery.
From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2021
The current craze started, as crazes often do, in the US, where, since the beginning of August, people dressed as clowns had been popping up creepily all over the country.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 31, 2016
I had been popping them through, trying to strike out every hitter and had not held anything in reserve.
From Pitching in a Pinch or, Baseball from the Inside by Christy Mathewson
