chop1 verbchop2 noun
chopchop1 /tʃɒp $ tʃɑːp/ ●●● S3 verb (past tense and past participle chopped, present participle chopping) [transitive] 
WORD ORIGINchop1
Origin:
1300-1400 Perhaps from chap; ➔ CHAPPEDVERB TABLE
chop
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | chop |
| he, she, it | chops | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | chopped |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have chopped |
| he, she, it | has chopped | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had chopped |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will chop |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have chopped |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am chopping |
| he, she, it | is chopping | |
| you, we, they | are chopping | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was chopping |
| you, we, they | were chopping | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been chopping |
| he, she, it | has been chopping | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been chopping |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be chopping |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been chopping |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I think my mother chopped the nuts a little finer.
- Over 200,000 jobs were chopped from the payrolls in November.
- Another three, including a grandmother, were shot dead in their beds, the corpses dragged outside and chopped up.
- As soon attempt to slice water with a sword, or chop up the sea.
- Firms with shorter names like Boeing do not get chopped off.
- He actually chops wood and aids an old woman.
- The first day the lad chopped down ten large trees entirely by himself.
- You're standing on a high cliff, chopped off and adumbrated by the heaving green of the sea.
THESAURUS
to divide something into two or more pieces, especially using a knife or scissors: · Do you want me to cut the cake?· He cut off the lower branches.
to quickly cut something, especially using scissors: · I snipped the label off.· The hairdresser snipped away at her hair.
to make a long narrow cut through something, especially using a knife: · He slit the envelope open with a penknife.· She slit through the plastic covering.
to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, making a long thin cut: · Someone had slashed the tyres on his car.· He tried to slash his wrists.
to cut wood, using a saw (=a tool with a row of sharp points): · Saw the wood to the correct length.
to cut wood, vegetables, or meat into pieces: · Bill was outside chopping up firewood with an axe.· They chopped down the old tree.· finely chopped onion
to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces: · I’ll slice the cucumber.· Slice the bread thinly.
to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: · First dice the apple into cubes.
to cut cheese or a hard vegetable by rubbing it against a special tool: · Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the vegetables.
to cut the outside part off something such as a potato or apple: · I peeled the potatoes and put them in a saucepan.
to cut thin pieces from a large piece of meat: · Uncle Ray carved the turkey.
to cut the grass in a garden, park etc: · A gardener was mowing the lawn.
(also clip) to cut a small amount off something, especially to make it look neater: · He was trimming his beard.· Trim the excess fat off the meat.
Longman Language Activatorto keep changing from one thing to another to change repeatedly from one thing or condition to a different one and back again: alternate between something and something: · His mother would alternate inexplicably between kindness and cruelty.· The guide explained the situation, alternating between Spanish and German.alternate with: · He has periods of depression, which alternate with frenzied activity.alternate something with something: · Leroy alternated aerobic exercises with weight training to improve his stamina.
to regularly change what you do or the way you do it so that you are more effective or do not become bored: · Teachers can keep students' interest by varying their classes.· One of Dickens' great skills as a writer is the way he varies his style.· If you're bored with the trip to work, try varying your route.
if people rotate , they each do something such as a piece of work once, then another person does it, then another, and then the first person again: · We rotate -- I teach French grammar one week, and she teaches it the next.rotate a job/task etc: · We usually rotate the worst jobs so that no one gets stuck with them.
British informal to keep changing from one thing to another, in a way that annoys people: · Don't chop and change from one style to another. It confuses the reader.· I wish they wouldn't keep chopping and changing. There's a different team on the field every week.
to cut wood, plants, or grass to make trees or bushes fall down by cutting them: cut/chop something down: · The tree was blocking the view from our window, and we asked a neighbour to chop it down.cut/chop down something: · Cutting down vast areas of the rainforests has created serious ecological problems.
to cut down trees, especially a large number of them, using special equipment: · 63 percent of trees felled in Guatemala are used for fuel.· More trees are being felled annually now than ever before.
to cut wood into pieces using an axe (=a tool with a long handle and a sharp blade): · Ivan spent the day chopping wood and sawing logs.chop something up/chop up something: · I chopped up the old fence and used it for firewood.
to cut grass or cut off leaves, in order to make a place or plant look tidy: · She had to stand on a ladder to cut the top of the hedge.cut the lawn/grass: · My dad used to cut the grass every Sunday morning.
to cut grass using a special machine, in order to make it look tidy: mow the lawn/the grass: · It took me two hours to mow the lawn.
to cut wood using a saw (=sharp tool that you push backwards and forwards across the surface of the wood): · We had to saw the wood to the right length, and then nail the pieces together.saw something up/saw up something (=into several pieces): · It took all morning to saw up the logs.
to cut off some of the branches of a tree or bush to make it grow better: · Miniature roses do not need much pruning and are ideal for planting in pots. · What's the best time of the year for pruning apple trees?
to cut small amounts off something, especially a bush, in order to make it have a neat shape or surface: · Do you think the hedge needs trimming?
to cut trees, plants etc by hitting them with a heavy knife or other sharp tool using short violent movements: hack at: · Robert was hacking at the base of the tree with an axe.hack your way through/hack a path through (=make a path by cutting down plants and trees): · They managed to hack their way through the jungle.
to cut food · Do you want me to cut the cake?cut something into pieces/chunks · Cut the fish into four pieces and serve hot or warm.
to cut something such as vegetables or meat into small pieces when you are preparing a meal: · Chop two onions for the stew.· Elsa was in the kitchen chopping up vegetables.chop something into pieces/chunks/cubes: · Could you chop the eggplant into cubes for me?
to cut food such as bread, meat, or vegetables into thin flat pieces: · Wash and slice the mushrooms.
to cut a large piece of cooked meat into pieces: · You start carving while I fetch the vegetables.· Who's going to carve the turkey?
British /grind American to cut raw meat into very small pieces, usually in a machine: · Mince the meat and mix in the remaining ingredients.
to cut cheese or vegetables into small thin pieces by rubbing them against a metal surface with holes in it: · I always like to grate some cheese over the potatoes before serving them.
to cut food, especially vegetables with leaves, into long thin pieces: · Remove the outside leaves and shred the cabbage finely.
to cut food, especially raw vegetables, into small square pieces: · Dice the potatoes and cook them in salted water.
to remove something by cutting to cut part of something away from the rest of it: cut off something: · Cut off the stalks of the broccoli.cut something off: · She took the cheese and cut a big piece off.
to cut something off by hitting it hard or cutting it with a sharp tool: chop off something: · Chop off the tops of the carrots.chop something off: · Careful you don't chop your fingers off!
to quickly remove something using scissors: snip something off/snip off something: · Snip the ends of the beans off before you cook them.· After the plant finishes blooming, snip off the dead flowers.
to cut a part of something off, especially a branch of a tree: lop off something/lop something off: · Workmen have lopped off some of the branches in an effort to save the tree.
to cut off someone's arm, leg, or foot as a medical operation: · He damaged his leg so badly that it had to be amputated.
to cut off a part of someone's body in an accident or an attack: · The victim's head had been severed in the accident.
to remove someone's eyes with a pointed weapon or object: gouge somebody's eyes out/gouge out somebody's eyes: · McLaren accused Roberts of trying to gouge his eyes out during the fight.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Add two finely chopped onions and a clove of garlic. Chop the meat into small cubes.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
Add two finely chopped onions and a clove of garlic. Chop the meat into small cubes.· He was chopping wood for the fire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Add the tomatoes and chop until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped.· Remove mushrooms and carefully strain soaking liquid to remove any grit or sand. Coarsely chop mushrooms.· Drain, squeezing out excess moisture, and chop coarsely.
· Use the axe to chop down the tree on the scarecrow screen. 15.· He could feel his eyebrows declare independence-they saluted, they chopped down, they came together like two fuzzy magnets.· They planted a tree to replace one of the hundreds they'd chopped down to help the war effort.· One day some tree cutters came along and they chopped down his two friends.· The biggest threat is from loss of habitat because the rainforests are being chopped down at such a fast rate.· I was born the son of a woodman who chopped down trees in the forest and sold the wood for a living.· The first day the lad chopped down ten large trees entirely by himself.· Even though the ball is further back in your stance, try not to chop down into the ball.
· Grate yellow rind of lemons, and finely chop the walnuts.· Variation: Substitute 8 ounces finely chopped fresh mushrooms, sauteed until browned in one tablespoon oil, for dried mushrooms.· Drain well and chop finely in a food processor or with a knife.· Remove and cut the cloves in half, removing any green core, and chop finely.
· You're standing on a high cliff, chopped off and adumbrated by the heaving green of the sea.· There is no mention of what happened to the pieces that were chopped off.· He knows he can't win the race with his hands tied behind his back, or his toes chopped off.· Another was so distressed he chopped off three of his fingers in an attempt to get out of the study.· She suddenly decided to have it chopped off.· Those they only use, tie, bind, chop off and leave empty.· One of the corpses appeared to have had an ear chopped off.· I hope they chop off his hairy carrot.
· Roughly chop the pineapple and apricots and quarter the cherries.· Roughly chop the livers and scatter over the duck meat along with the ham.· Roughly chop the watercress and stir into the pan.
· Do you remember the Mulligan case, old man who chopped up his brother and tied the remains to the Leamings sluice-gates?· The tumors were then chopped up and expanded in laboratory culture dishes.· Wear long sleeves because short sleeves chop up the body line.· The screen and the ornamental woodwork of pulpit, font lid and choir stalls they chopped up for firewood.· This liquid was made by chopping up the roots of an inedible yam which looked like stringy, tough beetroot.· Octopus, chopped up live, and giant water slugs may also be on the menu.· Java Joe and his friend Bic chopped up potatoes and began frying them with onions and garlic in a communal kitchen.
NOUN· Garnish with reserved pancetta, chopped basil, and wild mushrooms, if used.,.
· Drizzle with salsa, sour cream and chopped cilantro.· Garnish with chopped cilantro and pass the sour cream.
· He chopped his son's head off on the spot.· For weeks we sit down to breakfast and dinner with these chopped heads on top of us.· All we would need to do would be to chop off the head of the price raisers.
· Saute a selection of mushrooms with butter and chopped shallots and garlic.
· Garnish the Quorn with the chopped parsley and serve chilled on a bed of rice.· Add a small can of chopped tomatoes and some parsley.
· I went to work cutting pork chops when I was nine years old.
· To transform the spuds, scientists chopped potato leaves into small pieces and scattered them across a laboratory culture dish.· Java Joe and his friend Bic chopped up potatoes and began frying them with onions and garlic in a communal kitchen.· Place chopped and whole potatoes plus all ingredients except peas, parsley, salt and pepper in cooker.
· Saute a selection of mushrooms with butter and chopped shallots and garlic.
· Put the mushrooms to one side and chop the stalks.
· Add the tomatoes and chop until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped.
· Use the axe to chop down the tree on the scarecrow screen. 15.· George Washington chopped down the tree, and then he threw away the money.· And there were men chopping at the trees.· A boy chopped the tree into pieces and burned it.· The first day the lad chopped down ten large trees entirely by himself.· Their strength and inertia allowed them to chop small tree branches with ease.· It is the same as swinging an axe to chop down a tree.· I was born the son of a woodman who chopped down trees in the forest and sold the wood for a living.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1 (also chop up) to cut something into smaller pieces: - Don't chop and change from one style to another. It confuses the reader.
- I wish they wouldn't keep chopping and changing. There's a different team on the field every week.
- I was still chopping and changing lyrics and order of jokes.
- In other words, subordinates are unsettled by a boss who chops and changes between autocracy, persuasion, consultation and democracy.
- In the past century the institutions and the external stimuli affecting the relation between finance and industry have been chopped and changed.
- So you won't have to chop and change your chops to make sure they're done evenly.
He went outside to chop some more wood for the fire. Can you chop up some carrots for me? Add two finely chopped onions and a clove of garlic.chop something into pieces/chunks etc Chop the meat into small cubes.► see thesaurus at cut2 informal to reduce an amount of money by a large amount: He suddenly found that his income had been chopped in half.3chop and change British English informal to keep changing your mind: You can’t keep chopping and changing like this!chop at something phrasal verb to hit something with a sharp tool in order to cut it: They chopped at the bushes with their knives.chop something ↔ down phrasal verb to make a tree fall down by cutting it with a sharp tool: A couple of the older trees will have to be chopped down. Large areas of rainforest are being chopped down every day.chop something ↔ off phrasal verb to remove something by cutting it with a sharp tool: The branch had been chopped off.chop1 verbchop2 noun
chopchop2 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- pork chops and applesauce
- Faith has asked for two high quality lamb chops and steak.
- He cut slowly into his chop.
- I collapse over my lamb chops and have to be put to bed.
- I ordered a double pork chop.
- Lamb chops were both nourishing and cheap.
- Often I could only afford a small steak and kidney pie and I'd give it to him, or a chop.
- That is why some people adore eating spiders and grubs, whilst others would throw up if fed a pork chop.
THESAURUSpreparing food
to cut cheese, carrot etc into small pieces by rubbing it against a special tool: · Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the top of the pasta.
to make butter, chocolate etc become liquid: · Melt the butter, chocolate, and 1 teaspoon of cream over a low heat.
British English, sift American English to put flour or other powders through a sieve (=tool like a net made of wire, which you use for removing larger grains or pieces): · Sift the flour and cocoa before adding to the rest of the mixture.
to cut something into pieces, especially using a big knife: · Chop up the vegetables.
to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: · Dice the carrots and then fry them in butter.
to add salt, pepper etc to food: · Season the meat before grilling.
to use a lot of force to break something such as seeds into very small pieces or into a powder: · Add one clove of crushed garlic.
to combine different foods together: · Mix together all the ingredients in one bowl.
to mix food together quickly with a fork or other tool: · Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks.
to turn food around with a spoon: · Stir the sauce gently to prevent burning.
to gently mix another substance into a mixture: · Fold in the beaten egg whites.
to press dough (=a mixture of flour and water) many times with your hands when you are making bread: · Knead the dough for ten minutes, until smooth.
to slowly pour a small amount of a liquid onto something: · Drizzle with olive oil.
to leave something somewhere, before you do something else with it: · Let the mixture stand for a couple of hours so that it cools naturally.
to put different foods together as part of a meal: · Serve with rice and a salad.· Serve the aubergines on a bed of lettuce.
WORD SETSafters, nounalmond, nounanchovy, nounapple, nounapricot, nounartichoke, nounasparagus, nounaspic, nounaubergine, nounavocado, nounbacon, nounbagel, nounbaguette, nounbaked beans, nounbanana, nounbap, nounbarley sugar, nounbatter, nounbear claw, nounbhaji, nounbiscuit, nounbisque, nounblancmange, nounbloater, nounblood orange, nounblue cheese, nounboiled sweet, nounbologna, nounbouillon, nounbread, nounbreadfruit, nounbreast, nounBrie, nounbrioche, nounbroad bean, nounbroccoli, nounbrownie, nounBrussels sprout, nounbubble and squeak, nounbullseye, nounburger, nounburrito, nounbutter, nounbutter bean, nounbutterfat, nounbutterscotch, nounCanadian bacon, nouncanapé, nouncandy apple, nouncandy cane, nouncandyfloss, nouncannelloni, nouncantaloup, nouncaramel, nouncarrot, nouncashew, nouncauliflower, nouncaviar, nouncelery, nouncereal, nouncheddar, nouncheeseburger, nouncheesecake, nounchew, nounchewing gum, nounchicken, nounchicken-fried steak, nounchilli, nounChinese leaves, nounchip, nounchipolata, nounchitterlings, nounchoc, nounchoccy, nounchoc-ice, nounchocolate, nounchocolate chip cookie, nounchop, nounchop suey, nounchowder, nounchow mein, nounChristmas cake, nounChristmas cookie, nounChristmas pudding, nounchutney, nounclementine, nouncock-a-leekie, nouncoconut, nouncod, nouncoleslaw, nouncollard greens, nouncompote, nouncoq au vin, nounCornish pasty, nouncouscous, nouncrème caramel, nouncrepe, nouncrumble, nouncurry, nounDanish, nounDanish pastry, noundessert, noundevil's food cake, noundigestive biscuit, noundill pickle, noundip, noundish, noundoorstep, noundory, noundouble cream, noundouble-decker, noundoughnut, noundressing, noundrumstick, nounduck, noundumpling, nounDundee cake, nounenchilada, nounfaggot, nounfava bean, nounfish, nounfish and chips, nounfishcake, nounfish finger, nounfish stick, nounflapjack, nounfoie gras, nounfondant, nounfondue, nounfortune cookie, nounfrankfurter, noungammon, noungarbanzo, noungâteau, noungelatin, nounghee, noungherkin, noungiblets, nounginger, adjectivegingerbread, nounginger nut, nounglacé, adjectiveglacé icing, noungoose, noungooseberry, noungoulash, noungranola, noungrape, noungrapefruit, noungravy, noungreen bean, noungreengage, noungreen onion, noungreen pepper, noungreen salad, noungriddlecake, nounguacamole, nounhaggis, nounhamburger, nounharicot, nounhash, nounhash browns, nounhazelnut, nounheavy, adjectiveheavy cream, nounhelping, nounhero, nounhock, nounhominy, nounhomogenized, adjectivehoney, nounhors d'oeuvre, nounhorseradish, nounhot-cross bun, nounhot dog, nounhotpot, nounhoumous, nounhuckleberry, nounhumbug, nounhumus, nounice, nouniceberg lettuce, nounice cream, nouningredient, nouninstant, adjectiveIrish stew, nouniron rations, nounjacket potato, nounjalapeño, nounjam, nounjambalaya, nounjawbreaker, nounJell-O, nounjelly, nounjelly baby, nounjelly bean, nounjelly roll, nounjerky, nounJerusalem artichoke, nounkabob, nounkale, nounkebab, nounkedgeree, nounkernel, nounketchup, nounkidney, nounkidney bean, nounkipper, nounkiwi fruit, nounkorma, nounkumquat, nounlamb, nounlasagne, nounleek, nounlemon, nounlemon curd, nounlemon sole, nounlentil, nounlettuce, nounlima bean, nounlime, nounlinguini, nounliquorice, nounliver, nounliver sausage, nounloaf, nounlobster, nounloganberry, nounlollipop, nounlox, nounlozenge, nounluncheon meat, nounlychee, nounmacaroni, nounmacaroon, nounmarzipan, nounmash, nounmatzo, nounmayo, nounmayonnaise, nounmeatball, nounmeatloaf, nounMelba toast, nounmelon, nounmeringue, nounmilk pudding, nounmincemeat, nounmince pie, nounminestrone, nounmixed grill, nounmonkey nut, nounmoussaka, nounmousse, nounmuesli, nounmuffin, nounmulberry, nounmullet, nounmulligatawny, nounmunchies, nounmush, nounmushy peas, nounmuskmelon, nounmussel, nounmutton, nounnachos, nounnan, nounneapolitan, adjectivenectarine, nounnonpareil, nounnoodle, nounnougat, nounoat cake, nounoatmeal, nounomelette, nounopen-faced sandwich, nounopen sandwich, nounorange, nounoven-ready, adjectiveoyster, nounpacked lunch, nounpaella, nounpancake, nounpantry, nounpapaya, nounpaprika, nounparfait, nounParmesan, nounparsley, nounparsnip, nounparson's nose, nounpassion fruit, nounpasta, nounpastrami, nounpastry, nounpasty, nounpâté, nounpatty, nounpavlova, nounpawpaw, nounpea, nounpeach, nounPeach Melba, nounpeanut, nounpeanut butter, nounpear, nounpease pudding, nounpecan, nounpemmican, nounpeppermint, nounpepperoni, nounpersimmon, nounpickle, nounpilchard, nounpineapple, nounpippin, nounpistachio, nounpitta bread, nounpizza, nounplantain, nounplum, nounplum pudding, nounpomegranate, nounpopcorn, nounpoppadom, nounPopsicle, nounpound cake, nounprofiterole, nounpudding, nounquiche, nounradish, nounragout, nounraisin, nounrasher, nounraspberry, nounravioli, nounredcurrant, nounred pepper, nounrelish, nounrice pudding, nounrisotto, nounrissole, nounroly-poly, nounsalad, nounsalsa, nounsamosa, nounsausage roll, nounsavoury, nounschnitzel, nounsemolina, nounshepherd's pie, nounsherbet, nounsoft-boiled, adjectivesole, nounsorbet, nounsoufflé, nounsoup, nounsour cream, nounsoy sauce, nounspaghetti, nounSpam, nounspare ribs, nounspeciality, nounspecialty, nounsponge, nounsubmarine sandwich, nounsuccotash, nounsucker, nounsummer pudding, nounsundae, nounsushi, nounsweet, nounsweetbread, nounsweetie, nounsweet roll, nounSwiss roll, nounSwiss steak, nounsyllabub, nountagliatelle, nounterrine, nountoad-in-the-hole, nounvol-au-vent, nounwafer, nounwaffle, nounwater biscuit, nounwater chestnut, nounwater ice, nounwatermelon, nounweenie, nounWelsh rarebit, nounwhip, nounwhipped cream, nounwhipping cream, nounYorkshire pudding, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a grilled pork/lamb chop I might be for the chop (=lose my job). This factory might now be for the chop (=likely to be closed).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a grilled pork/lamb chop I might be for the chop (=lose my job). This factory might now be for the chop (=likely to be closed).· He was chopping wood for the fire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Apart from the inevitable sausages, there were numerous chicken pieces, lamb chops and cubed steak on skewers.· Faith has asked for two high quality lamb chops and steak.· I collapse over my lamb chops and have to be put to bed.· I cradled the bottom of the paper bag containing my lamb chops.· She heard her sister's complaint and paid no attention. Lamb chops were both nourishing and cheap.· Sometime between the lamb chops and the chocolate mousse, Maestro Domingo presented his illustrious cast.· It's easy to see the fat on a lamb chop - and easy to cut it off.· Then I went up to the store and bought lamb chops for dinner.
· The grill had mutton chops and mash; the buffet ran things like smoked salmon, potted shrimps and corned ox tongue.· They had mutton chops, fried potatoes, and coffee with brandy in it.
· Remove all the fat from the pork chops or steaks.· I ordered a double pork chop.· That is why some people adore eating spiders and grubs, whilst others would throw up if fed a pork chop.· We stoke the coals, put on a pot of potatoes, and slap five pork chops on to the grill.· Uncle Philip was laid out on a charcoal grill like a barbecued pork chop.· Steam rises from the kettle and the pork chops sizzle, licked by flames from the dripping, igniting fat.· All during supper, eating a pork chop and cauliflower and mashed potatoes, Stephen had wanted to be alone.· He neglected his fried shrimp and watched Schwartzwalder consume his pork chop, salad, and martinis.
· They smacked of mutton-chop whiskers and paternalism.
VERB· Only a few of Wolsey's men lingered, licking their chops, expecting to be tossed this last juicy morsel.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the chop► the chops
1a small piece of meat on a bone, usually cut from a sheep or pig: - The woman hit me right in the chops.
a grilled pork/lamb chop2the chop British English a)if you get or are given the chop, you lose your job: Six more staff got the chop last week. I might be for the chop (=lose my job). b)if something gets or is given the chop, it is closed or stopped because people do not want to pay for it anymore: The project might get the chop. This factory might now be for the chop (=likely to be closed).3a hard downward movement that you make with your hand: a karate chop4the act of hitting something with a sharp tool in order to cut it: With one last chop he split the log in two.5chops [plural] informal the lower part of the face of a person or animal – used humorously: Jack was grinning all over his chops.6the chops informal technical skill, especially at music, comedy, acting etc: Has she got the chops to carry off such a big role?