pop 1
/pop/ , v. , popped, popping , n., adv., adj.
v.i.
1. to make a short, quick, explosive sound: The cork popped.
2. to burst open with such a sound, as chestnuts or corn in roasting.
3. to come or go quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: She popped into the kitchen to check the stove.
4. to shoot with a firearm: to pop at a mark.
5. to protrude from the sockets: The news made her eyes pop.
6. Baseball.
a. to hit a pop fly (often fol. by up ).
b. to pop out.
v.t.
7. to cause to make a sudden, explosive sound.
8. to cause to burst open with such a sound.
9. to open suddenly or violently: to pop the hood on a car; to pop the tab on a beer can.
10. to put or thrust quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: He popped the muffins into the oven.
11. Informal. to cause to fire; discharge: He popped his rifle at the bird.
12. to shoot (usually fol. by at, off, etc.): He popped off bottles with a slingshot.
13. Brit. Slang. to pawn.
14. Informal.
a. to take or swallow (pills), esp. in excess or habitually; take orally in a compulsive or addictive way: Popping all those pills will land him in the hospital.
b. to eat in a continual or thoughtless manner, as snack foods: popping peanuts at the movies.
15. pop for , Slang. to pay or buy for oneself or another, esp. as a gift or treat; spring for: I'll pop for the first round of drinks.
16. pop in , Informal. to visit briefly and unexpectedly; stop in; drop by: Maybe we'll pop in after the movie.
17. pop off , Informal.
a. to die, esp. suddenly.
b. to depart, esp. abruptly.
c. to express oneself volubly or excitedly and sometimes irately or indiscreetly: He popped off about the injustice of the verdict.
18. pop out , Baseball. to be put out by hitting a pop fly caught on the fly by a player on the opposing team.
19. pop the question , Informal. to propose marriage: They dated for two years before he popped the question.
20. pop up , Baseball. to hit a pop fly.
n.
21. a short, quick, explosive sound.
22. a popping.
23. a shot with a firearm.
24. Informal. See soda pop .
25. a drink or portion of an alcoholic beverage, as a drink of whiskey or a glass of beer: We had a couple of pops on the way home.
26. Baseball. See pop fly .
27. a pop , Slang. each; apiece: five orchids at $30 a pop.
adv.
28. with an explosive sound: The balloon went pop.
29. quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: Pop, the door flew open!
adj.
30. Informal. unexpected; without prior warning or announcement: The teacher gave us a pop quiz.
[ 1375-1425; late ME (n.) poppe a blow; (v.) poppen to strike; of expressive orig. ]
Syn. 3. appear, burst.
Regional Variation. 24. See soda pop .
pop 2
/pop/ , adj.
1. of or pertaining to popular songs: pop music; pop singers.
2. of or pertaining to pop art.
3. reflecting or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people: pop culture; pop novels.
n.
4. popular music: It's the first time she's sung pop.
5. See pop art .
[ 1860-65; shortening of POPULAR ]
pop 3
/pop/ , n. Informal.
father.
[ 1820-30; short form of POPPA ]
pop 4
/pop/ , n.
a frozen ice or ice-cream confection on a stick.
[ prob. shortening of POPSICLE ]