chops

/ tʃɒps /

plural noun

1. the jaws or cheeks; jowls
2. the mouth
3. slang.
   1. music embouchure
   2. jazz skill
4. lick one's chops 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

But will he be dusting off his vocal chops for another pop cover like in the first film?

From Los Angeles Times

She is the one and only Cher, an American icon who has long dazzled audiences around the world with her extraordinary singing, acting and comedic chops.

From Los Angeles Times

The “White Lotus” actor in recent years has diversified her portfolio to showcase her acting chops and flexed her muscles as a producer with films “Immaculate” and “Anyone but You.”

From Los Angeles Times

As a kid, my favorite home-cooked meal was always pork chops with applesauce — which I think is a white thing.

From Los Angeles Times

So it needed to convince home cooks to give up their steaks, chops and roasts in favor of what it called variety meats: kidneys, liver, tongue and so on.

From Salon

Related Words

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