chips
Noun: 1. Thin slices of potato that are fried until crisp and often eaten as a snack or side dish. This is the primary meaning, referring to the food item known in American English as "potato chips" and in British English as "crisps". 2. (Chiefly British) French fries. In British English, "chips" often refers to thick strips of potato that are deep-fried, known in American English as "fries" or "French fries".
The word "chips" is a plural noun. It is typically used with plural verbs and determiners. - When referring to the snack food (thin, crispy slices): "The chips are in the bowl." - When referring to the side dish (thicker fried strips): "I'll have fish and chips, please."
Referring to thin, crispy potato slices (common in US English):
- She opened a bag of salty chips.
- Would you like some chips with your sandwich?
Referring to thick, fried potato strips (common in UK English):
- He ordered sausage and chips from the takeaway.
- These chips are best with vinegar and salt.
- "to have had one's chips" (British idiom): To be defeated, finished, or dead.
- If we lose this game, we've had our chips for the tournament.
- Chip (noun, singular): A single piece from a batch of chips. (e.g., ) Can also refer to a small piece of something broken off, a microchip, or a token used in gambling.
- Potato chips (US English): The specific term for the thin, crispy snack.
- Crisps (British English): The specific term for the thin, crispy snack.
- French fries / Fries (US English): The specific term for the thick, fried potato strips.
- For thin, crispy slices: crisps (UK), potato chips.
- For thick, fried strips: fries, French fries, finger chips.
- Fish and chips: A classic British dish consisting of fried fish and thick potato chips.
- We went to the seaside and ate fish and chips.
- Chip shop / Chippy (UK informal): A shop that sells fish and chips and other fried food.
- Let's get dinner from the chip shop.
- "to be a chip off the old block": To be very similar to one's parent in character or appearance. (Note: This idiom uses the singular "chip", not the plural "chips").
- He's good with mechanics, a real chip off the old block like his father.
- "when the chips are down": When a situation is critical or urgent; when a final decision must be made.
- You can always count on her when the chips are down.
- strips of potato fried in deep fat