karate-chop
C1informal, sometimes humorous or metaphorical
Definition
Meaning
A quick, sharp strike with the side of the hand.
Any swift, decisive action intended to cut something off or halt progress.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun but can function as a verb. In literal sense, evokes martial arts; in figurative sense, implies abrupt termination or reduction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: The compound form with a hyphen is standard in both varieties. Usage is equally understood.
Connotations
Figurative use ('to karate-chop the budget') is slightly more common in business/media American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, slightly higher in US due to greater cultural permeation of martial arts terminology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] karate-chop [Object] (as verb)[Determiner] karate-chop [Prepositional Phrase] (as noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'karate-chop (something) in half' (to reduce drastically)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new CEO karate-chopped three underperforming divisions."
Academic
Rare, except in sports science or anthropology discussing martial techniques.
Everyday
"He karate-chopped the plank in two for the demonstration."
Technical
In martial arts, refers specifically to a 'shuto-uchi' strike.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The villain moved to karate-chop the hero's shoulder.
- Management decided to karate-chop the proposed budget.
American English
- She karate-chopped the wooden board effortlessly.
- The governor threatened to karate-chop the new tax bill.
adverb
British English
- He struck the block karate-chop style.
- The costs were cut karate-chop quick.
American English
- She moved karate-chop fast to disarm him.
- The project ended karate-chop suddenly.
adjective
British English
- He used a karate-chop motion to break the ice.
- The report had a karate-chop effect on their plans.
American English
- She finished with a karate-chop blow to the dummy.
- The karate-chop amendment killed the proposal.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He saw a karate-chop in the film.
- The martial artist showed us how to do a proper karate-chop.
- The editor gave my article a brutal karate-chop, removing half the text.
- Faced with the funding crisis, the board had no choice but to karate-chop several key research initiatives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hand CHOPPING like a KARATE expert: swift and sharp.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROBLEM IS A SOLID OBJECT TO BE BROKEN; DECISIVE ACTION IS A MARTIAL ARTS MOVE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'karate cut' (*карате-рубка). Use 'удар ребром ладони' for the literal meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a general term for any punch (e.g., *karate-chop with a fist).
- Overusing the figurative sense in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, 'to karate-chop' something usually means to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most correctly written with a hyphen: 'karate-chop'.
Yes, especially in informal or journalistic contexts (e.g., 'They karate-chopped the budget').
In Japanese, it is called 'shuto-uchi' (literally 'sword hand strike').
It is informal and often used for dramatic effect in business journalism, but is generally too colloquial for formal reports or academic papers.