lop
/lɔp/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To cut off branches or parts from a tree or plant: The primary meaning refers to the action of pruning or trimming vegetation by removing its branches or shoots.
- To remove or eliminate parts from something, often in a rough or careless manner: It can imply cutting something off from a whole, sometimes suggesting a degree of abruptness or finality.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- We need to lop the overhanging branches before the storm.
- The gardener lopped the dead roses from the bush.
- The budget cuts effectively lopped several departments from the organization.
Advanced Usage
- "to lop off": This is the most common phrasal form, emphasizing the act of cutting or removing something, often projecting or extending.
- He lopped off the damaged part of the wooden beam with a saw.
- The new policy lopped off a significant portion of our funding.
Variants and Related Words
- Lopper (n): A tool, typically a type of pruning shears with long handles, used for cutting branches.
- I need the loppers to cut this thick branch.
- Lopping (n/gerund): The action or process of cutting branches.
- The lopping of the old apple tree took all afternoon.
Synonyms
- Prune: To trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.
- Trim: To make something neat or of the required size or form by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.
- Sever: To divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly.
- Chop off: To cut something off with a quick, heavy blow.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Lop off: To remove something by cutting, especially a part that sticks out.
- They decided to lop off the top of the tree to prevent it from hitting the power lines.
Related Idioms
- Lop and top (or lop and crop): This phrase historically refers to the branches and tops of trees that are cut off, often as waste material from pruning or felling.
- After felling the timber, the lop and top were gathered for firewood.
Verb
- cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
- dress the plants in the garden
- cut off from a whole
- His head was severed from his body
- The soul discerped from the body