Definition

1. 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

1. cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
   • dress the plants in the garden
2. cut off from a whole
   • His head was severed from his body
   • The soul discerped from the body