English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Chop and change
Meaning
The idiom "chop and change" means to make frequent, sudden, or unexpected changes in plans, actions, or situations. It often implies that the changes are drastic, radical, or extreme, and can have a significant impact on people's lives or relationships. For example, "After years of working towards their dream job, they were suddenly let go and had to start over again. They felt like life was just chopping and changing all the time."
Usage
- The company's management kept chopping and changing policies without consulting employees, causing confusion and frustration among them.
- The couple had a history of chopping and changing their lives frequently, moving from one place to another every year.
- My friend was always feeling like life was chopping and changing for him, never able to settle down and plan for the future.
- She felt like she was living in a world that was constantly chopping and changing, with new technology and social trends emerging all the time.
- The pandemic has caused many people's lives to chop and change in unexpected ways, as they work from home or adapt to social distancing measures.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "chop and change" is uncertain, but it likely comes from the idea of chopping something into smaller pieces, which could symbolize breaking something down into smaller, more manageable parts or making radical changes. The phrase has been in use since at least the 18th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. In contemporary language, the idiom is often used to describe situations where change happens rapidly and frequently, especially when it's unexpected or disruptive. It can also be used to suggest that the changes are drastic or extreme, and may have a significant impact on people's lives or relationships.
Synonyms in English
- Flip-flop
- Back and forth
- Zigzagging
- Jumping around
- Going back and forth
Synonyms in other languages
- 変わりに立てる (Japanese) - to change frequently or often
- 바꾸다 (Korean) - to change something or someone
- ت�بين (Arabic) - to switch between two things frequently
- تغير (Persian) - to change or transform
- تشكل (Spanish) - to shape, form, or create something new