Definition

1. Verb:

   • To exchange one thing for another; to give something and receive something else in return.
   • To trade or barter items, often of similar value.

2. Noun:

   • An act or instance of exchanging one thing for another.
   • An equal exchange or trade.

Usage

• Verb: Use "swop" when describing the action of trading items directly with someone. It is informal and often interchangeable with "swap."
• Noun: Use "swop" to refer to the exchange itself or the agreement to exchange.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The children decided to swop their sandwiches at lunch.
  • I'll swop my blue pen for your red one.
• Noun:
  • They made a fair swop: a book for a DVD.
  • The swop of stories between the two travelers was fascinating.

Advanced Usage

• "to swop places with someone": to exchange positions or situations with another person.
  • I'd love to swop places with you for a day to experience your job.
• "to swop stories/ideas": to share and exchange narratives or thoughts.
  • The old friends sat by the fire, swopping stories about their youth.

Variants and Related Words

• Swap: The more common spelling of "swop." Both have identical meanings and usage.
  • Let's swap/swop seats so you can see the screen better.
• Swappable (adj): Capable of being exchanged.
  • The phone has a swappable battery.

Synonyms

• Exchange: To give something and receive something else.
• Trade: To swap goods or services.
• Barter: To exchange goods or services without using money.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Swop over: To exchange positions or roles.
  • Can we swop over halfway through the game so everyone gets a turn?
• Swop out: To replace one item with another.
  • I need to swop out the dead battery for a new one.

Related Idioms

• Never swop horses while crossing the stream: Do not change plans or leaders in the middle of a critical task or crisis. (A proverb, often using "swap").
  • The project is challenging, but we must stay the course. Remember, never swop horses while crossing the stream.

Noun

1. an equal exchange
   • we had no money so we had to live by barter

Verb

1. exchange or give (something) in exchange for