chops
chops — 名詞
1. the bones that form the framework of the mouth, holding the teeth in place
頷；頜骨
構成口腔框架的骨骼
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.
牙醫請 Ingrid 張大嘴巴，以便她檢查她的下頷。
plural-only anatomical term for jawbones
That breed of dog has particularly strong chops, perfect for carrying game birds.
那個品種的狗頜骨特別強健，非常適合叼獵鳥。
collocation: strong chops
The dentist took an X-ray of Eva's lower chops to check for cracks in her jawbone.
牙醫幫 Eva 的下頷照了X光，檢查她的頜骨是否有裂痕。
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.
拳擊教練要 Luca 咬緊護齒，保護上頷免受重拳打擊。
collocation: upper chops / protect your chops
- strong chops
- lower chops
- upper chops
文法句型
always used in the plural form
用法筆記
"Chops" has no singular form in this sense. You cannot say "a chop" to refer to one jawbone — use "jaw" or "jawbone" instead.
常見錯誤
2. the opening in the lower part of the face through which a person or animal eats,
嘴；口
臉部下方進食和說話的開口
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.
那個學步的小孩吃完巧克力餅乾後，用袖子擦了擦嘴。
informal register for 'mouth'
Nala's cat had bits of tuna all over her chops and looked very pleased with herself.
Nala 的貓咪嘴巴上沾滿了鮪魚碎屑，看起來得意極了。
The goalkeeper took an elbow to the chops but stayed on his feet.
守門員的嘴巴挨了一記拐子，但他還是站穩了沒倒。
collocation: to the chops (taking a hit)
Aunt Rosa told the children to wipe their chops before coming to the dinner table.
Rosa 阿姨叫孩子們先擦乾淨嘴巴再來餐桌吃飯。
- in the chops
- to the chops
- wipe your chops
文法句型
always used in the plural form
用法筆記
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."
常見錯誤
3. the flesh and skin that cover the jawbones, especially on the lower part of the
頰肉；下顎肉
覆蓋頜骨的軟組織
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.
屠夫在包裝肉品前，先把豬頰肉上多餘的脂肪切除。
hunting/butchery context
The Saint Bernard's thick chops swung from side to side as it trotted across the yard.
那隻聖伯納犬厚厚的頰肉隨著牠在院子裡小跑而左右晃動。
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.
那隻尋血獵犬下垂的頰肉隨著牠穿過高草叢追蹤氣味而輕輕晃動。
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.
拳擊賽後，那名拳擊手的雙頰腫脹瘀青。
- thick chops
- swollen chops
- drooping chops
文法句型
always used in the plural form
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
4. the way a wind instrument player positions and controls their lips, tongue, and
吹奏嘴型
管樂器演奏者使用嘴唇和臉部肌肉的方式
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.
Eve 每天早上練習長音，鍛鍊吹奏小號的嘴部肌力。
collocation: build strength in your chops
The saxophone instructor told Wei to relax his chops instead of pressing so hard against the reed.
薩克斯風老師要 Wei 放鬆嘴部肌肉，不要那麼用力壓簧片。
collocation: relax your chops
After two hours of rehearsal, David's chops were too tired to hit the high notes cleanly.
排練了兩個小時後，David 的嘴部肌肉太累了，高音都吹不上去。
collocation: tired chops
Jazz trumpeters often do lip bends and buzzing exercises to keep their chops in shape.
爵士小號手經常做唇振練習，讓吹奏嘴型保持在最佳狀態。
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
文法句型
always used in the plural form
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
5. technical knowledge and proven ability in a specific profession, trade, or creat
專長；專業
在特定領域經實戰驗證的專業技術
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.
Valentina 重新設計了工廠的冷卻系統，證明了自己的工程專業能力。
collocation: prove your chops
The startup was looking for a developer with solid coding chops and three years of experience.
那間新創公司正在找一位程式功力紮實、有三年經驗的開發者。
collocation: coding chops / solid chops
Mira had the legal chops to handle the complex intellectual property case on her own.
Mira 的法律專業能力足以獨立處理那件複雜的智慧財產權案件。
The young chef showed impressive culinary chops during the national cooking competition.
那位年輕廚師在國家烹飪大賽中展現了令人驚豔的廚藝。
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
文法句型
always used in the plural form; typically preceded by 'have', 'show', 'prove'
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
chops — 慣用語
1. the face around the mouth and jaw — used in informal fixed phrases like 'in the
嘴邊；臉頰
用於口語片語，指挨打時被擊中的臉頰位置
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.
那個惡霸朝 David 的臉頰狠狠揍了一拳，然後就逃走了。
expression: in the chops (hit in the face)
The referee caught an accidental elbow right in the chops during the scuffle.
裁判在混戰中不小心被一記手肘擊中臉頰。
expression: in the chops (receiving impact)
The drunk at the pub took a swing at the barman and caught him square in the chops.
那個在酒吧喝醉的人朝酒保揮了一拳，正中他的臉頰。
expression: square in the chops
The old boxer took a punch to the chops but stayed on his feet until the bell.
那位老拳擊手臉上挨了一拳，但還是撐到鐘響沒有倒下。
expression: to the chops (taking a hit)
- in the chops
- across the chops
- square in the chops
- to the chops
- right in the chops
文法句型
always plural; appears in phrases like 'in the chops', 'to the chops'
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. the polished skill that musicians and actors gain by practising their art over m
演奏技藝
在音樂或表演方面的專業技巧
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.
Asher 花了三年每天練習音階，磨練他的藍調吉他功力。
collocation: build + [genre] chops
The audience gasped when the young pianist showed her classical chops during the concerto.
當那位年輕鋼琴家在協奏曲中展現古典演奏功力時，全場觀眾都屏息讚嘆。
expression: show your chops
Every Friday night the jazz club invited local musicians to sit in and prove their chops on stage.
每週五晚上，爵士俱樂部都會邀請本地樂手上台即興演奏，展現他們的本事。
expression: prove your chops
Ingrid's vocal chops impressed the judges so much that they sent her straight to the finals.
Ingrid 的歌唱功力令評審大為驚艷，直接將她送入決賽。
collocation: vocal chops
The theatre director said the lead actor had solid dramatic chops from years of Shakespearean training.
劇院導演說，那位男主角經過多年的莎士比亞戲劇訓練，擁有紮實的演技。
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
文法句型
always plural; appears in phrases like 'show your chops', 'have the chops'
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. the combination of ability, experience, and determination needed to do a job or
真功夫
靠實戰經驗累積出來的真功夫
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.
Nala 靠著跑市議會新聞，在地方報社磨練出記者的真功夫。
expression: earn your chops
The new manager doesn't have the chops yet to handle a team of twenty people.
新任經理還沒有足夠的能耐管理一個二十人的團隊。
expression: have the chops
After fifteen years in the kitchen, the sous-chef finally had the chops to run his own restaurant.
在廚房工作了十五年後，那位副主廚終於有能力開自己的餐廳了。
William spent two years in the field earning his construction chops before starting his own company.
William 在工地實地磨練了兩年的營建實戰經驗，之後才創立自己的公司。
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
文法句型
always plural; appears in phrases like 'earn your chops', 'have the chops for'
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
lick your chops
idiomto show eager anticipation or pleasure, especially before eating something or getting something you want
垂涎欲滴；滿懷期待
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
嘲弄某人；找某人麻煩
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
展現本領；露一手
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.
同根字
常見搭配
常用片語
- 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
介系詞搭配
- in the chops
- across the chops
- to the chops