cop

Everyday

1. (informal) A cop is a police officer. tree →
2. (UK slang) To cop something is to get or receive it, usually something bad: «You'll cop it for that!» tree →
3. (slang) To cop a look is to take a quick look: «Cop a look at this». tree →
4. (UK informal) Not much cop means not very good. tree →
5. To cop out is to avoid doing something you should do; a cop-out is a weak excuse. tree →
6. To cop to something (US) is to admit it. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, films and everyday talk, «cop» is the casual word for police officer; in safety, children learn that police officers can help if they are lost. In British slang «you'll cop it» warns of trouble. Phrases: cops and robbers, cop out, not much cop, cop it, cop a feel (rude).

Examples

• A cop helped us find our way home. tree →
• We played cops and robbers in the playground. tree →
• You'll cop it when Mum sees the mess! tree →
• That film wasn't much cop. tree →
• Saying you were busy is a cop-out. tree →
• Cop a look at my new trainers. tree →
• He finally copped to eating the last biscuit. tree →

Note

Informal; in formal writing say «police officer». «Cop» is less respectful than «officer». Past forms: copped, copping (double «p»).

In Jewish tradition

Not the modern word. It is "coping," the top course of a stone wall in Solomon's building. In the primary lessons: In stories, films and everyday talk, «cop» is the casual word for police officer; in safety, children learn that police officers can help if they are lost. In British slang «you'll cop it» warns of trouble. Phrases: cops and robbers, cop out, not much cop, cop it, cop a feel (rude).

Examples

• All these were of costly stones, according to the measures of hewn stones, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside unto the great court. (Prophets 1KI.7.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Informal; in formal writing say «police officer». «Cop» is less respectful than «officer». Past forms: copped, copping (double «p»).