General
the chop
What does the chop mean?
Being eliminated from a category at a ball. The judges decide you're not advancing and they let you know, often with a hand-chop motion and a flat 'thank you, but that's a chop.' Brutal, public, instant. To get the chop is to be sent off the floor; to chop someone is to cut them.
"He came out strong but the second round was a mess, and the judges gave him the chop on the spot."
Origin
Ball culture; the standard term for judge elimination in a category.
Frequently asked questions
What does "the chop" mean?
It means being cut from a category by the judges — eliminated, sent home.
How do you use "the chop" in a sentence?
"She stumbled on her walk and got the chop in the first round."
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