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pop the question

 - 7 dictionary results

pop

1[pop] verb, popped, pop⋅ping, noun, adverb, adjective
–verb (used without object)
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.
–verb (used with object)
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. British 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.
–noun
15. a short, quick, explosive sound.
16. a popping.
17. a shot with a firearm.
18. Informal. soda pop.
19. 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.
20. Baseball. pop fly.
–adverb
21. with an explosive sound: The balloon went pop.
22. quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly: Pop, the door flew open!
–adjective
23. Informal. unexpected; without prior warning or announcement: The teacher gave us a pop quiz.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. pop out, Baseball. to be put out by hitting a pop fly caught on the fly by a player on the opposing team.
27. pop up, Baseball. to hit a pop fly.
28. a pop, Slang. each; apiece: five orchids at $30 a pop.
29. pop in, Informal. to visit briefly and unexpectedly; stop in; drop by: Maybe we'll pop in after the movie.
30. pop the question, Informal. to propose marriage: They dated for two years before he popped the question.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME (n.) poppe a blow; (v.) poppen to strike; of expressive orig.


3. appear, burst.


18. See soda pop.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pop the question
pop 1   (pŏp)   
v.   popped, pop·ping, pops

v.   intr.
  1. To make a short, sharp, explosive sound.

  2. To burst open with a short, sharp, explosive sound.

  3. To move quickly or unexpectedly; appear abruptly: At last the cottage popped into view.

  4. To open wide suddenly: The child's eyes popped with astonishment.

  5. Baseball To hit a short high fly ball, especially one that can be caught by an infielder: popped out to shortstop.

  6. To shoot a firearm, such as a pistol.

  7. To release (a clutch) suddenly.

v.   tr.
  1. To cause to make a sharp bursting sound.

  2. To cause to explode with a sharp bursting sound: popped the balloon.

  3. To put or thrust suddenly or unexpectedly: "popping a crisp plump shrimp into her mouth" (Kathleen Winsor).

    1. To discharge (a firearm).

    2. To fire at; shoot.

    3. To take (drugs), especially orally: "To calm a case of the jitters . . . the bride popped Valium" (People).

    4. To have (a drink): popped a few beers after work.

  4. To hit or strike: popped me on the head.

  5. Baseball To hit (a ball) high in the air but not far.

  6. Slang

    1. To take (drugs), especially orally: "To calm a case of the jitters . . . the bride popped Valium" (People).

    2. To have (a drink): popped a few beers after work.

n.  
  1. A sudden sharp, explosive sound.

  2. A shot with a firearm.

  3. Chiefly Midwestern U.S. See soft drink. See Regional Note at tonic.

  4. Baseball A pop fly.

adv.  
  1. With a popping sound.

  2. Abruptly or unexpectedly.

  3. To leave abruptly or hurriedly.

  4. To die suddenly.

  5. To speak thoughtlessly in a burst of released anger.

Phrasal Verb(s):
pop forInformal To pay for: I'll pop for the video if you buy some snacks.
pop inTo visit briefly: just popped by to say hello.
pop off Informal
  1. To leave abruptly or hurriedly.

  2. To die suddenly.

  3. To speak thoughtlessly in a burst of released anger.


Idiom(s):
a popSlang Apiece; each: Tickets to the benefit were $100 a pop.

Idiom(s):
pop the question Informal To propose marriage.

[Middle English poppen, from pop, a blow, stroke, of imitative origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

pop the question

To “pop the question” is to propose marriage: “They have been going out for so long; I wonder when he'll pop the question.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
pop

  1. tv.
    to hit or strike someone. : She popped him lightly on the shoulder.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
pop the question

  1. tv.
    [for a man] to ask a woman to marry him. (Could also be used by a woman asking a man.) : She waited for years for him to pop the question.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

pop  (n.2)
"father," 1838, chiefly Amer.Eng., shortened from papa (1681), from Fr. papa, from O.Fr., a children's word, similar to L. pappa. Form poppa is recorded from 1897.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

pop the question

Propose marriage, as in He picked Valentine's Day to pop the question. [Early 1700s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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