pop
1 (pŏp)
[Middle English poppen, from pop, a blow, stroke, of imitative origin.]
verb: popped, pop·ping, pops.
intransitive verb
- To make a short, sharp, explosive sound.
- To burst open with a short, sharp, explosive sound.
- To move quickly or unexpectedly; appear abruptly: At last the cottage popped into view.
- To open wide suddenly: The child's eyes popped with astonishment.
- Baseball To hit a short high fly ball, especially one that can be caught by an infielder: popped out to shortstop.
- To shoot a firearm, such as a pistol.
- To release (a clutch) suddenly.
transitive verb
- To cause to make a sharp bursting sound.
- To cause to explode with a sharp bursting sound: popped the balloon.
- To put or thrust suddenly or unexpectedly: “popping a crisp plump shrimp into her mouth” (Kathleen Winsor)
- To discharge (a firearm).
- To fire at; shoot.
- To hit or strike: popped me on the head.
- Baseball To hit (a ball) high in the air but not far.
- Slang
- To take (drugs), especially orally: “To calm a case of the jitters . . . the bride popped Valium” (People)
- To have (a drink): popped a few beers after work.
noun
- A sudden sharp, explosive sound.
- A shot with a firearm.
- Chiefly Midwestern U.S. See soft drink
- Baseball A pop fly.
adverb
- With a popping sound.
- Abruptly or unexpectedly.
phrasal verbs
- pop for
- Informal To pay for: I'll pop for the video if you buy some snacks.
- pop in
- To visit briefly: just popped by to say hello.
- pop off
- To leave abruptly or hurriedly.
- To die suddenly.
- To speak thoughtlessly in a burst of released anger.
idioms
- a pop
- Slang Apiece; each: Tickets to the benefit were $100 a pop.
- pop the question
- To propose marriage.
