cop
cop — abbreviation
1. a written abbreviation for the metal copper, used mainly in scientific or indust
a written abbreviation for the metal copper, used mainly in scientific or industrial contexts.
The wire is made of cop. and has a thickness of 2 mm.
abbreviation in technical specifications
The label on the pipe reads "cop. 99.9 percent purity."
The chemistry report listed the metal as cop. with a density of 8.96 g per cm3.
In the materials list, they wrote cop. next to each item made of copper.
Usage Note
This abbreviation appears in scientific notes, material labels, and chemical formulas. The full word 'copper' is preferred in ordinary writing.
2. a written abbreviation for the word copulative, referring to a verb or construct
a written abbreviation for the word copulative, referring to a verb or construction that connects a subject with a subject complement.
The grammar glossary marks linking verbs with 'cop.' for copulative.
abbreviation used in grammar glossaries
The linguistics professor wrote cop. in the margin to show a linking verb.
In the syntax textbook, every copulative verb is labelled as cop. in the examples.
The table of verb types uses cop. as a short form for copulative verbs.
Usage Note
Found mainly in linguistics textbooks, grammar glossaries, and academic papers on syntax.
3. a written abbreviation for the word copy, used in editing, publishing, or busine
a written abbreviation for the word copy, used in editing, publishing, or business to mean a duplicate or reproduction of a document.
Please send a cop. of the signed form to each office by Friday.
abbreviation in office correspondence
The editor wrote 'cop.' in the margin to ask for another version of the page.
The memo at the bottom of the email said: cop. to all department heads.
Inês marked the document with cop. so the assistant would make a duplicate.
Usage Note
Common in editorial markings, office notes, and email shorthand. The full word 'copy' is preferred in formal writing.
4. a written abbreviation for the term copyright, marking the legal ownership of a
a written abbreviation for the term copyright, marking the legal ownership of a creative work.
The footer of the website reads 'Cop. 2025 Lucas Chen.'
abbreviation in copyright notices
The copyright symbol is often followed by the abbreviation 'cop.' in legal disclaimers.
The book listed cop. 2024 on the first page to show the copyright year.
Each image file includes a cop. notice in the metadata.
Usage Note
Appears in copyright notices, page footers, and legal disclaimers, typically alongside the © symbol.
cop — noun
1. a police officer — a person whose job is to make sure people follow the law and
a police officer — a person whose job is to make sure people follow the law and to catch people who break it.
A cop stood outside the bank and watched the crowd go by.
informal synonym for police officer
Liang asked the cop for directions after getting lost near the market.
The neighbourhood cop knows every child on the street by name.
countable noun: a cop / the cop / two cops
Two cops got out of the car and walked toward the shouting crowd.
A local cop helped Adina find her lost dog near the park.
- cop car
- traffic cop
- local cop
- off-duty cop
- cop shop
- police officer
the neutral, formal term; safe for any context
- copper
British informal slang; older usage, less common today
- officer
used as a respectful form of address when speaking directly to a police officer
Usage Note
This is an informal term. In formal writing or official contexts, use 'police officer' instead. The plural is 'cops'.
Common Mistakes
❖ 'The cop arrested the man.' (correct but too informal for a news report). ✅ 'The police officer arrested the man.' — Use 'police officer' in formal writing such as reports or official documents.
2. an abbreviation of 'close of play', referring to the moment when the work day or
an abbreviation of 'close of play', referring to the moment when the work day or business day finishes.
The report must be on the manager's desk by COP today.
by COP = by the end of the working day
Liang sent the invoice just before COP on Friday afternoon.
The deadline for all orders is COP tomorrow, not midnight.
Meera promised to finish the draft before COP and send it to the team.
- by COP
- before COP
- COP tomorrow
- COP Friday
- close of business (COB)
the equivalent American term; more formal than COP
- end of day (EOD)
used in both British and American business contexts
Grammar Patterns
by COP
before COP
Usage Note
Used mainly in office emails and internal business communication in British English. In American English, 'close of business' (COB) or 'end of day' (EOD) is more common.
Common Mistakes
❖ 'I will finish it by close of play today.' (correct but wordy in a casual email). ✅ 'I will finish it by COP today.' — COP is standard shorthand in many British offices.
it's a fair cop
idiomsaid by someone who has been caught doing something wrong, to accept that they were wrong and admit they deserve the punishment or criticism.
When his father found the broken vase, the boy shrugged and said, 'It's a fair cop.'
The thief smiled at the guard and said, 'All right, it's a fair cop — you got me.'
not much cop
idiomused to say that something or someone is not very good or is of disappointingly low quality.
The film we watched last night was not much cop — I fell asleep halfway through.
Arjun tried the new restaurant, but the food was not much cop and the service was slow.
it’s a fair cop
idiomA phrase said by someone who has been caught doing something wrong, meaning they accept that they are guilty.
When the guard found him in the storage room, he just said, "It's a fair cop."
Mia smiled and raised her hands, admitting, "It's a fair cop, you caught me."
cop — verb
1. to arrest someone — to catch a person believed to have broken the law and take t
to arrest someone — to catch a person believed to have broken the law and take them to a police station.
The police copped the burglar as he climbed out of a window.
active: cops + suspect
Obi was copped for stealing a car and spent the night in a cell.
passive: be copped for [crime]
Detectives copped the suspect near the train station after a short chase.
A shoplifter was copped by security before leaving the mall.
- cop for
- be copped for
- get copped
Grammar Patterns
cop + noun phrase
often passive: be copped for [crime]
Usage Note
Police slang, heard more in British English than American. The standard formal equivalent is 'arrest'. Frequently used in the passive ('be copped for [crime]').
Common Mistakes
❖ 'The officer copped the thief.' (correct but very informal). ✅ 'The officer arrested the thief.' — Use 'arrest' in news reports and official police statements.
2. to receive or get something, especially something unpleasant such as a fine, a p
to receive or get something, especially something unpleasant such as a fine, a punishment, or criticism.
Élise copped a parking ticket for leaving her car in a loading zone.
cop + unpleasant thing: fine/ticket
Arjun copped a lot of criticism for showing up late to every meeting.
Andrés copped a heavy fine for riding the train without a valid ticket.
The player copped a three-match ban for arguing with the referee.
pattern: cop + punishment or sanction
- cop a fine
- cop a ticket
- cop criticism
- cop a ban
Grammar Patterns
cop + noun phrase
Usage Note
The thing received is almost always negative — a fine, a penalty, criticism, a scolding, or a cold. Not used for receiving gifts, prizes, or good news.
Common Mistakes
❖ 'She copped a birthday present from her aunt.' (wrong — positive gifts do not pair with this sense). ✅ 'She copped a speeding ticket on the highway.' — Use only for unwanted things.
3. to quickly take hold of something that is moving or falling, or to grab and catc
to quickly take hold of something that is moving or falling, or to grab and catch something with your hand.
Eshe copped hold of the railing to stop herself from falling down the stairs.
pattern: cop hold of [something]
The goalkeeper copped the ball on the first bounce and held it tight.
Luca copped the falling plate just before it hit the kitchen floor.
Mira copped her little brother by the arm as he ran toward the busy road.
physical: cop + person by body part
- cop hold of
- cop by the
Grammar Patterns
cop + noun phrase
cop hold of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often used with 'hold of' (cop hold of something) for emphasis. The object is usually a physical object or a person — not an abstract concept like an idea.
Common Mistakes
❖ 'She copped the idea quickly.' (abstract concept does not work here). ✅ 'She copped the rope before it slipped away.' — Use for physical grabbing only.
4. to take something that belongs to someone else, without permission and often in
to take something that belongs to someone else, without permission and often in a quick or sneaky way.
Someone copped Defne's phone from her bag while she was on the crowded bus.
cop + stolen item from [location]
The kids copped a few sweets from the jar when the shopkeeper was not looking.
A visitor copped the hotel towel and took it home as a souvenir.
Liang's wallet was copped from his coat pocket during the festival.
passive: was copped from [place]
- cop from
- get copped
Grammar Patterns
cop + noun phrase
Usage Note
A casual, slangy way to say 'steal'. Common in British English but may sound dated to younger speakers. The standard alternative 'steal' is safer in most writing.
Common Mistakes
❖ 'Someone copped my idea.' (abstract concept — this sense is for physical objects only). ✅ 'Someone copped my bicycle from the shed.' — Use for physical theft only.
Word family
- coppernounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
"Cop" is an informal term for a police officer, widely used in everyday speech. "Police officer" is the neutral, formal term appropriate for news reports, official documents, and polite conversation. "Copper" is older British slang, once very common but now sounding slightly dated or working-class. "Officer" is used as a respectful form of direct address ("Yes, officer") but not usually as a noun in statements. "Constable" is the official rank used in British and Australian police forces, and is more formal than "cop" but less common than "police officer" in general use. In American English, the equivalent rank-based term would be "deputy" or "trooper" depending on the force. For example: a child might say "Look, a cop!" when seeing a police car, while a formal statement would say "A police officer was called to the scene."
Common collocations
Etymology
The noun 'cop' for a police officer comes from the verb 'cop' (to seize, to catch), which entered English from Old French 'caper' (to seize), from Latin 'capere' (to take, to seize). By the mid-19th century, 'copper' (someone who cops or catches) was being used as slang for a police officer in British English, and this was later shortened to 'cop'. The verb meanings (to arrest, to grab, to steal) developed from the same Latin root. The abbreviation senses (copper, copulative, copy, copyright) are unrelated to this origin, simply being shortened forms of each word.