cop shop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slang
Quick answer
What does “cop shop” mean?
A police station.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A police station.
A slang term for a police station, often used informally or with a slightly dismissive, humorous, or critical tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties, but potentially more common in British and Commonwealth English (e.g., Australian). In American English, 'precinct' is a more standard informal alternative.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply a casual, sometimes irreverent, or cynical view of the police. It is not a term used in official contexts.
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in informal spoken contexts. Rare in writing except in direct speech or very informal texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cop shop” in a Sentence
go to the [cop shop]be at the [cop shop]come from the [cop shop]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation, often when recounting an incident or giving informal directions. 'I had to go down to the cop shop to file a report.'
Technical
Not used in legal or law enforcement technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cop shop”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cop shop”
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (e.g., 'the Cop Shop').
- Using it to refer to individual police officers instead of their station.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently rude, but it is informal slang. It can sound dismissive or cynical depending on tone and context. It is not appropriate for formal situations or when speaking to police officers directly in an official capacity.
Yes, it is understood, but 'precinct' or simply 'police station' are more common informal terms in American English.
Both are slang for a police station. 'Nick' is more strongly associated with UK English and can also be a verb meaning 'to steal' or 'to arrest'. 'Cop shop' is more transparent in its construction and used in multiple English varieties.
It is a compound noun typically written as two separate words: 'cop shop'. It is sometimes hyphenated ('cop-shop') in older texts or for clarity.
A police station.
Cop shop is usually informal, slang in register.
Cop shop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒp ʃɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːp ʃɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of police officers ('cops') 'shopping' for criminals at their workplace ('shop').
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A BUSINESS/TRADE (The police station is the 'shop' where the 'trade' of policing is conducted).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'cop shop' be MOST appropriate?