tʃɒp
tʃɑːp
1 to cut something into pieces with a sharp tool such as a knifechop something He was chopping logs for firewood.Add the finely chopped onions.chop something (up) (into something) Chop the carrots up into small pieces. (figurative) The country was chopped up into small administrative areas.2 [usually passive] chop something (from something) (to something) (informal) to reduce something by a large amount; to stop somethingSynonym
cutThe share price was chopped from 50 pence to 20 pence.3 chop somebody/something to hit somebody/something with a short downward stroke or blowIdioms
chop and change
(British English, informal) to keep changing your mind or what you are doingPhrasal verbs
chop (away) at something
to aim blows at something with a heavy sharp tool such as an axechop something 
down
to make something, such as a tree, fall by cutting it at the base with a sharp toolchop something off (something)
to remove something by cutting it with a sharp toolHe chopped a branch off the tree. (informal) Anne Boleyn had her head chopped off.
Usage note: CookingPreparingprepare a dish/a meal/a menu/dinner/the fishweigh out 100g/4oz of sugar/the ingredientswash/rinse the lettuce/spinach/watercresschop/slice/dice the carrots/onions/potatoespeel the carrots/onion/potatoes/garlic/orangegrate a carrot/the cheese/some nutmegremove/discard the bones/seeds/skinblend/combine/mix (together) the flour and water/all the ingredientsbeat/whisk the cream/eggs/egg whitesknead/shape/roll (out) the doughCookingheat the oil in a frying panpreheat/heat the oven/(British English) the grill/(North American English) the broilerbring to (British English) the boil/(North American English) a boilstir constantly/gently with a wooden spoonreduce the heatsimmer gently for 20 minutes/until reduced by halfmelt the butter/chocolate/cheese/sugarbrown the meat for 8-20 minutesdrain the pasta/the water from the pot/in a colandermash the potatoes/banana/avocadoWays of cookingcook food/fish/meat/rice/pasta/a Persian dishbake (a loaf of) bread/a cake/(especially North American English) cookies/(British English) biscuits/a pie/potatoes/fish/scones/muffinsboil cabbage/potatoes/an egg/waterfry/deep-fry/stir-fry the chicken/vegetablesgrill meat/steak/chicken/sausages/a hot dogroast potatoes/peppers/meat/chicken/lambsauté garlic/mushrooms/onions/potatoes/vegetablessteam rice/vegetables/spinach/asparagus/dumplingstoast bread/nutsmicrowave food/popcorn/(British English) a ready mealServingserve in a glass/on a bed of rice/with potatoesarrange the slices on a plate/in a layercarve the meat/lamb/chicken/turkeydress/toss a saladdress with/drizzle with olive oil/vinaigrettetop with a slice of lemon/a scoop of ice cream/whipped cream/syrupgarnish with a sprig of parsley/fresh basil leaves/lemon wedges/a slice of lime/a twist of orangesprinkle with salt/sugar/herbs/parsley/freshly ground black pepper