prop
prop — verb
1. to place something against a surface or object so that it stays in an upright or
to place something against a surface or object so that it stays in an upright or open position, or to hold something in position by putting a support under or behind it
Wei propped his bicycle against the garden wall while she unlocked the front door.
prop + object + against [surface]
Darius used a stack of old books to prop open the classroom window on a warm spring day.
prop + open (resultative)
The nurse propped the patient's pillow up behind his back so he could see the television.
prop + object + up
Shanti propped the wet surfboard against the garage wall to let it dry in the sun.
- prop a door open
- prop a bike against
- prop up a shelf
- prop a pillow behind
- remove
to take away the support
Grammar Patterns
prop + object + against/on + something
prop + object + up
Usage Note
Commonly used with a preposition (against, on, with) or the particle 'up'. The object is typically a long or flat item (a board, a door, a person) that needs temporary support.
Common Mistakes
prop — noun
1. an item that performers handle or interact with on stage or on screen to make th
an item that performers handle or interact with on stage or on screen to make the scene look realistic
The costume department stores hundreds of props in labelled boxes backstage at the theatre.
plural: props in theatre storage
For the final scene, the actor picked up a fake sword from the prop table on the film set.
prop table / on set
The production designer spent weeks finding antique props for the Victorian-era period drama.
The stage manager checked that every prop was in its place before the curtain rose at eight o'clock.
- stage props
- film props
- prop table
- prop department
- props master
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural ('props'), even when referring to a collection kept together. In film and theatre jobs, the person in charge is called the 'props master' or 'property master'.
2. an informal short form of 'propeller', the set of spinning blades that moves a p
an informal short form of 'propeller', the set of spinning blades that moves a plane or boat forward
The pilot started the engine and the prop blades began to spin slowly on the runway.
prop blades — informal usage for propeller
One of the boat's props got tangled in seaweed near the harbour entrance last weekend.
The old aircraft's wooden prop had been replaced with a lighter modern one made of metal.
Before taking off, the pilot walked around the plane and checked that the prop was free of cracks.
- prop blades
- prop shaft
- twin props
- spinning prop
Usage Note
Common in spoken language and informal writing among pilots, sailors, and mechanics. In formal technical documents, the full word 'propeller' is preferred.
3. a long, firm item such as a pole, beam, or stick that you put beneath a structur
a long, firm item such as a pole, beam, or stick that you put beneath a structure or leaning object to keep it steady and upright
The gardener placed wooden props under the heavy branches of the apple tree to stop them from breaking.
wooden props under [object]
Workers installed steel props to hold the tunnel ceiling in place during the night repairs.
steel props — material + purpose
Felipe used a pile of old bricks as a prop to keep the broken washing machine balanced.
The builders fitted metal props against the weakened wall before pouring the new concrete.
- wooden prop
- steel prop
- adjustable prop
- scaffolding prop
- roof prop
Usage Note
Describes a physical object used for temporary or permanent support. Unlike the verb 'prop', which focuses on the action, the noun focuses on the supporting object itself. Can overlap with 'support' but often implies a simpler or more makeshift device.
4. one of the two front-row players on each side of the scrum in rugby, whose job i
one of the two front-row players on each side of the scrum in rugby, whose job is to push forward and support the weight of the scrum
As a prop, Carlos needs to be both very strong and quick on his feet during the match.
rugby position: prop
The team's loosehead prop was injured during the first scrum and had to leave the pitch.
loosehead prop — specific type
Imran packed down in the scrum between the hooker and the lock, pushing hard against the opposing prop.
Five metres from the try line, Vinícius pushed hard and drove the scrum forward to score.
- loosehead prop
- tighthead prop
- front-row prop
- prop forward
Usage Note
A specialised rugby term. There are two types: 'loosehead prop' (wears number 1, on the left side of the scrum) and 'tighthead prop' (wears number 3, on the right side). The position demands great physical strength.
5. the respect, credit, or admiration that people express for someone, especially f
the respect, credit, or admiration that people express for someone, especially for something they have achieved
I've got to give props to Sarah for organising the entire charity dinner by herself.
give props to [someone] — slang for giving respect
The crowd shouted props to the retiring player as he walked off the pitch for the final time.
Big props to the kitchen staff for serving three hundred meals in just under two hours.
Nadia deserves major props for finishing her thesis while working two part-time jobs.
- give props
- props to
- big props
- mad props
- deserve props
Usage Note
Short for 'proper respect' and popularised in hip-hop and African American Vernacular English. Now fairly widespread in informal speech. Almost always used in the phrase 'give props to [someone]' or 'props to [someone].' Not used in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
prop — abbreviation
1. a written abbreviation for 'property', used in advertisements, legal documents,
a written abbreviation for 'property', used in advertisements, legal documents, and official forms to refer to land, buildings, or possessions
The sign outside the old house read 'For sale — prop., call 555-0199 for details.'
prop. — abbreviation for property in listing
The tax form asks for the estimated value of the prop. as of January first of this year.
The real estate agent listed three commercial props. for lease in the downtown area.
The legal document described the prop. boundary as extending to the riverbank on the east side.
- prop. for sale
- commercial prop.
- residential prop.
- prop. value
Usage Note
Always written with a period ('prop.') in formal contexts. Most common in classified advertisements, property listings, and legal shorthand. In spoken English, the full word 'property' is always used.
2. a written abbreviation for 'proposition', referring to a suggested change in the
a written abbreviation for 'proposition', referring to a suggested change in the law that people vote on, or a business proposal
Voters in California will decide on Prop. 22, which changes the rules for delivery drivers.
Prop. — common expression in ballot measure names
The newspaper endorsed Prop. 15, saying it would bring more money to public schools.
The gambling website listed the odds on Prop. 4, a bet on which team would score first.
Campaign volunteers knocked on doors across the district to gather support for Prop. 18 before election day.
- Prop. [number] (ballot measure)
- prop bet
- business prop.
- support Prop.
Usage Note
Most famous in the context of California ballot 'props,' where the abbreviation appears on voting materials. Also used in business shorthand for 'proposition' in offers and proposals. In informal gambling contexts, a 'prop bet' (or 'proposition bet') is a side bet on a specific event within a game.
3. a written abbreviation for 'proprietor', meaning the owner of a business, especi
a written abbreviation for 'proprietor', meaning the owner of a business, especially a small shop, restaurant, or hotel
The restaurant menu listed 'M. Chen, Prop.' at the bottom of the first page.
Prop. — abbreviation for proprietor on signage
The small hotel's prop. decided to retire after running the business for forty years.
The business licence shows 'Eitan Cohen, Prop.' on the registration document at city hall.
The newspaper classifieds read 'Cafe for sale — contact prop. directly for more information.'
- [Name], Prop.
- business prop.
- hotel prop.
- shop prop.
Usage Note
Usually appears after a person's name in print (e.g. 'Jane Smith, Prop.'). Common on business signage, letterheads, and official documents for small businesses. The full word 'proprietor' is preferred in formal legal writing.
prop — combining form
1. relating to propionic acid or its chemical compounds, used as a prefix in the na
relating to propionic acid or its chemical compounds, used as a prefix in the names of chemical substances such as propionate and propylene glycol
Propionic acid is commonly added to baked goods as a preservative to stop mould from growing.
propionic acid — the base compound
The bacteria in the cow's stomach produce propionate, which the animal uses as a source of energy.
propionate — derived form
The label on the bottle of skin cream listed propylene glycol as one of the main moisturising ingredients.
In the organic chemistry lab, the students used propyl alcohol to clean the glass beakers after the synthesis experiment.
- propionic acid
- propionate
- propylene glycol
- propyl alcohol
Usage Note
The combining form 'prop-' appears in chemistry terms as a prefix derived from 'propionic acid.' The most common forms learners may encounter are 'propionic acid' (a food preservative) and 'propylene glycol' (used in cosmetics and de-icing fluids).