chops
chops — noun
1. the bones that form the framework of the mouth, holding the teeth in place
the bones that form the framework of the mouth, holding the teeth in place
The dentist asked Ingrid to open wide so she could examine her lower chops.
plural-only anatomical term for jawbones
That breed of dog has particularly strong chops, perfect for carrying game birds.
collocation: strong chops
The dentist took an X-ray of Eva's lower chops to check for cracks in her jawbone.
collocation: lower chops (jawbones in dental context)
The boxing coach told Luca to keep his mouthguard tight to protect his upper chops from hard punches.
collocation: upper chops / protect your chops
- strong chops
- lower chops
- upper chops
Grammar Patterns
always used in the plural form
Usage Note
"Chops" has no singular form in this sense. You cannot say "a chop" to refer to one jawbone — use "jaw" or "jawbone" instead.
Common Mistakes
2. the opening in the lower part of the face through which a person or animal eats,
the opening in the lower part of the face through which a person or animal eats, drinks, and makes sounds
The toddler wiped his chops on his sleeve after eating a chocolate biscuit.
informal register for 'mouth'
Nala's cat had bits of tuna all over her chops and looked very pleased with herself.
The goalkeeper took an elbow to the chops but stayed on his feet.
collocation: to the chops (taking a hit)
Aunt Rosa told the children to wipe their chops before coming to the dinner table.
- in the chops
- to the chops
- wipe your chops
Grammar Patterns
always used in the plural form
Usage Note
A dialectal or old-fashioned alternative to "mouth." In modern use it often appears in set phrases like "to punch someone in the chops" or "to wipe one's chops."
Common Mistakes
3. the flesh and skin that cover the jawbones, especially on the lower part of the
the flesh and skin that cover the jawbones, especially on the lower part of the face
The butcher trimmed the excess fat from the pig's chops before packaging the meat.
hunting/butchery context
The Saint Bernard's thick chops swung from side to side as it trotted across the yard.
collocation: thick chops (referring to dog's cheek flesh)
The bloodhound's drooping chops swung gently as it followed the scent through the tall grass.
collocation: drooping chops (describing dog's facial features)
After the fight, the boxer's chops were swollen and bruised on both sides of his face.
- thick chops
- swollen chops
- drooping chops
Grammar Patterns
always used in the plural form
Usage Note
Most commonly used when describing animals, especially in hunting, butchery, or veterinary contexts. For humans, this sense usually appears in descriptions of facial injuries or features.
Common Mistakes
4. the way a wind instrument player positions and controls their lips, tongue, and
the way a wind instrument player positions and controls their lips, tongue, and facial muscles against the mouthpiece to produce the correct sound
Eve practised long tones every morning to build strength in her chops for the trumpet.
collocation: build strength in your chops
The saxophone instructor told Wei to relax his chops instead of pressing so hard against the reed.
collocation: relax your chops
After two hours of rehearsal, David's chops were too tired to hit the high notes cleanly.
collocation: tired chops
Jazz trumpeters often do lip bends and buzzing exercises to keep their chops in shape.
collocation: keep your chops in shape
- build your chops
- relax your chops
- tired chops
- keep your chops in shape
- embouchure
the formal, technical term preferred in music education contexts
Grammar Patterns
always used in the plural form
Usage Note
A colloquial term used by musicians instead of the formal "embouchure." Especially common among jazz, brass, and woodwind players. The formal term is preferred in academic music writing.
Common Mistakes
5. technical knowledge and proven ability in a specific profession, trade, or creat
technical knowledge and proven ability in a specific profession, trade, or creative field that has been gained through hands-on practice and real-world work
Valentina proved her engineering chops by redesigning the factory's cooling system.
collocation: prove your chops
The startup was looking for a developer with solid coding chops and three years of experience.
collocation: coding chops / solid chops
Mira had the legal chops to handle the complex intellectual property case on her own.
The young chef showed impressive culinary chops during the national cooking competition.
collocation: culinary chops
- technical chops
- professional chops
- prove your chops
- have the chops
- coding chops
- legal chops
- culinary chops
- expertise
formal register; used in professional and academic contexts
- know-how
similar register to 'chops,' equally informal
- credentials
focuses on formal qualifications rather than proven ability
- inexperience
lack of practice or exposure to a field
Grammar Patterns
always used in the plural form; typically preceded by 'have', 'show', 'prove'
Usage Note
Often paired with an adjective naming the field ("coding chops," "legal chops," "comedy chops") to specify the area of expertise. The expression "to have the chops for something" means to be qualified or talented enough for a particular task.
Common Mistakes
chops — idiom
1. the face around the mouth and jaw — used in informal fixed phrases like 'in the
the face around the mouth and jaw — used in informal fixed phrases like 'in the chops' and 'across the chops', almost always describing someone being hit, struck, or otherwise receiving a physical impact
The bully punched David square in the chops and ran off before anyone could stop him.
expression: in the chops (hit in the face)
The referee caught an accidental elbow right in the chops during the scuffle.
expression: in the chops (receiving impact)
The drunk at the pub took a swing at the barman and caught him square in the chops.
expression: square in the chops
The old boxer took a punch to the chops but stayed on his feet until the bell.
expression: to the chops (taking a hit)
- in the chops
- across the chops
- square in the chops
- to the chops
- right in the chops
Grammar Patterns
always plural; appears in phrases like 'in the chops', 'to the chops'
Usage Note
Exclusively British and informal. In American English, 'chops' for the face area sounds old-fashioned or eccentric — Americans would say 'in the mouth' or 'across the face' instead. This expression typically appears in fixed phrases.
Common Mistakes
2. the polished skill that musicians and actors gain by practising their art over m
the polished skill that musicians and actors gain by practising their art over many years
Asher spent three years practising scales every day to build his blues guitar chops.
collocation: build + [genre] chops
The audience gasped when the young pianist showed her classical chops during the concerto.
expression: show your chops
Every Friday night the jazz club invited local musicians to sit in and prove their chops on stage.
expression: prove your chops
Ingrid's vocal chops impressed the judges so much that they sent her straight to the finals.
collocation: vocal chops
The theatre director said the lead actor had solid dramatic chops from years of Shakespearean training.
collocation: dramatic chops / acting chops
- jazz chops
- blues chops
- guitar chops
- vocal chops
- acting chops
- dramatic chops
- show your chops
- prove your chops
- build your chops
- technique
more formal and neutral; focuses on method rather than talent
- proficiency
formal register; emphasizes competence through training
- amateurism
lack of professional-level skill
Grammar Patterns
always plural; appears in phrases like 'show your chops', 'have the chops'
Usage Note
Originally a jazz-musician slang term (from "embouchure" → "chops" for mouth/facial muscles used in playing), it has expanded to acting and other performance arts. It specifically implies technical mastery gained through practice, not just natural talent.
Common Mistakes
3. the combination of ability, experience, and determination needed to do a job or
the combination of ability, experience, and determination needed to do a job or activity successfully
Nala earned her chops as a journalist by covering city council meetings for the local paper.
expression: earn your chops
The new manager doesn't have the chops yet to handle a team of twenty people.
expression: have the chops
After fifteen years in the kitchen, the sous-chef finally had the chops to run his own restaurant.
William spent two years in the field earning his construction chops before starting his own company.
expression: earn your chops (gaining experience)
- earn your chops
- have the chops
- prove your chops
- show your chops
- construction chops
- management chops
- credentials
more formal; can refer to qualifications on paper rather than proven ability
- experience
broader and neutral; lacks the connotation of hard-earned mastery
- inexperience
lack of hands-on practice in a field
Grammar Patterns
always plural; appears in phrases like 'earn your chops', 'have the chops for'
Usage Note
Distinguish from the SKILL (MUSIC/ACTING) sense: this sense applies broadly to any profession or pursuit, not just performing arts. The expression "to earn your chops" specifically emphasizes gaining experience through hands-on work, often starting at the bottom.
Common Mistakes
lick your chops
idiomto show eager anticipation or pleasure, especially before eating something or getting something you want
The children licked their chops when they saw the birthday cake covered in fresh strawberries and cream.
The real estate investors were licking their chops over the chance to buy the old hotel at auction.
bust someone's chops
idiomto tease, criticize, or bother someone in a playful or mildly aggressive way
Stop busting my chops about being late — I was stuck in traffic for an hour.
The older mechanics loved to bust the new apprentice's chops about his shiny new tools.
show your chops
idiomto demonstrate one's skill or ability, especially in a performance or competitive situation
The three young chefs were given one hour to show their chops by preparing a three-course meal.
During the talent showcase, each dancer had ninety seconds to show their chops on stage.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: idiom/3
All four words refer to a person's qualifications or ability, but they differ in formality and emphasis. "Chops" (this sense) is highly informal and strongly implies hands-on, hard-earned experience — the kind you get by working your way up from the bottom ("earning your chops"). "Credentials" focuses on formal qualifications such as degrees, certificates, or licences — a person can have credentials without much real-world skill. "Experience" is the broadest and most neutral term, covering any time spent doing a job regardless of how it was gained. "Expertise" implies deep, specialised knowledge in a field and is the most formal of the four, appropriate in academic and professional writing. For example: "Yusuf had the chops from years in the kitchen, but he lacked the credentials to teach at the culinary institute."
Common collocations
Phrases
- earn your chops
- show your chops
- prove your chops
- have the chops
- build your chops
- lick your chops
- bust someone's chops
- square in the chops
Prepositions
- in the chops
- across the chops
- to the chops
Etymology
"Chops" traces back to the 16th century, originally spelled "chaps" — a variant of "chap" meaning "jaw." This word comes from Middle English "chappen" (to cut or split), which is also the source of "chip" and "chop" (as in a cut of meat). The sense shifted from the jaws themselves to the flesh around the mouth, and then — through jazz musicians in the early 20th century — to the skill of playing a wind instrument, since a player's "chops" (mouth muscles) determine their sound quality. From music, the meaning broadened to general skill or expertise in any field by the late 20th century.
First known use
1589
1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1