To reserve a seat, table or spot — most famously at a Singapore hawker centre — by placing an object on it, traditionally a packet of tissues.
Add your own interpretation of "chope".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with C.
To reserve a seat, table or spot — most famously at a Singapore hawker centre — by placing an object on it, traditionally a packet of tissues. A pure Singlish coinage with no clear etymological parent; possibly a corruption of "chop" (the rubber stamp once used to mark official property). The "chope" tissue packet is treated as a binding social contract: locals will generally respect it, while tourists frequently learn the rule the hard way. Now extended figuratively: "chope a slot" for a meeting, "chope the showers" at the gym.
I'll chope the corner table while you go order the laksa.
(Midlands, Wales, Bermuda) To loudly insult and subject to verbal abuse; to berate.