Chop vs. Pare — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 1, 2023
"Chop" means to cut something into pieces, typically with repeated sharp blows, whereas "Pare" means to trim off the outer edges, often of food items, typically using a knife.
Difference Between Chop and Pare
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chop" and "Pare" are both verbs related to cutting but differ in their application and technique. "Chop" implies a forceful, often hasty, action of cutting something into pieces, usually involving a downward motion. It doesn't necessarily aim for precision and is commonly used in relation to meat or vegetables. Conversely, "Pare" is a more delicate, careful action, typically used to remove the outer layer or edge of something, often a fruit or vegetable, using a small knife. It implies a degree of precision and carefulness to avoid removing too much of the substance.
"Chop" is often associated with the culinary context where ingredients need to be reduced to smaller, more manageable pieces. It can involve using various tools such as knives or axes, depending on the object being chopped. "Pare," on the other hand, is more specific, usually involving a paring knife to precisely remove the skin, peel, or outer layer of fruits, vegetables, or other items, leaving the inner substance intact.
While "Chop" can be somewhat aggressive and less meticulous, serving a more functional purpose, "Pare" is generally more thoughtful and meticulous, serving aesthetic or preparatory purposes. "Chop" often leaves the object in smaller, separated pieces, whereas "Pare" typically maintains the object's integrity, merely removing undesirable outer parts.
In sum, while "Chop" and "Pare" both involve a form of cutting, they vary significantly in their methods, purposes, and outcomes. "Chop" is broader and more forceful, yielding separated pieces, while "Pare" is more refined and careful, focusing on the removal of outer layers or parts.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To cut into pieces
To trim off the outer edges
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Method
Forceful, less precise
Delicate, more precise
Context
Common in culinary settings for various ingredients
Typically for fruits, vegetables, sometimes wood or nails
Outcome
Separated pieces
Object with outer part removed
Tools
Uses varied tools like knives or axes
Typically uses a small knife
Compare with Definitions
Chop
To cut with a quick, heavy blow.
She chopped the onions quickly.
Pare
To reduce or diminish gradually.
The company decided to pare down its workforce due to financial constraints.
Chop
To reduce abruptly.
The company had to chop its budget due to losses.
Pare
To decrease bit by bit.
The manager decided to pare the budget by cutting non-essential expenses.
Chop
To hit or strike with a swift, forceful blow.
The boxer managed to chop his opponent with a swift uppercut.
Pare
To trim off the outer layer or edge of something, usually with a knife.
I had to pare the apple before eating it.
Chop
Cut (something) into pieces with repeated sharp blows of an axe or knife
They chopped up the pulpit for firewood
Finely chop the parsley
Pare
To peel or remove the skin or outer covering of something.
She skillfully pared the skin off the potato.
Chop
Abolish or reduce the size of (something) in a way regarded as ruthless
Their training courses are to be chopped
Pare
To remove the outer covering or skin of with a knife or similar instrument
Pare apples.
Chop
Change one's opinions or behaviour repeatedly and abruptly
Teachers are fed up with having to chop and change with every twist in government policy
Pare
To remove by or as if by cutting, clipping, or shaving
Pared off the excess dough.
Pared fat from the budget.
Chop
A downward cutting blow or movement, typically with the hand
An effective chop to the back of the neck
Pare
To reduce, as in quantity or size; trim
Pare expenses.
Chop
A thick slice of meat, especially pork or lamb, adjacent to and often including a rib
He lived on liver or chops
Pare
(transitive) To remove the outer covering or skin of something with a cutting device, typically a knife.
Victor pared some apples in preparation to make a tart.
Chop
A person's share of something.
Pare
To reduce, diminish or trim gradually something as if by cutting off.
Albert had to pare his options down by disregarding anything beyond his meager budget.
Chop
Crushed or ground grain used as animal feed
The pile of chop was dropped into the calves' feeder
Pare
To trim the hoof of a horse.
Chop
The broken motion of water, owing to the action of the wind against the tide
We started our run into a two-foot chop
Pare
To sharpen a pencil.
Chop
A trademark; a brand of goods.
Pare
To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's hoof.
Chop
To cut by striking with a heavy sharp tool, such as an axe
Chop wood.
Pare
To remove; to separate; to cut or shave, as the skin, rind, or outside part, from anything; - followed by off or away; as, to pare off the rind of fruit; to pare away redundancies.
Chop
To shape or form by chopping
Chop a hole in the ice.
Pare
Fig.: To diminish the bulk of; to reduce; to lessen.
The king began to pare a little the privilege of clergy.
Chop
To cut into small pieces
Chop onions and carrots.
Chop up meat.
Pare
Decrease gradually or bit by bit
Chop
To reduce abruptly or by a large amount
Chopped off his sentence midway.
Are going to chop expenses.
Pare
Cut small bits or pare shavings from;
Whittle a piece of wood
Chop
(Sports) To hit or swing at (a pitched ball) with a short downward stroke.
Pare
Strip the skin off;
Pare apples
Chop
To make heavy, cutting strokes.
Pare
Remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size;
Pare one's fingernails
Trim the photograph
Trim lumber
Chop
(Archaic) To move roughly or suddenly.
Pare
To cut away the outer surface or edges of something.
The artist pared away the excess wood from the sculpture.
Chop
To change direction suddenly, as a ship in the wind.
Chop
The act of chopping.
Chop
A swift, short, cutting blow or stroke.
Chop
(Sports) A short downward stroke.
Chop
A piece that has been chopped off, especially a cut of meat, usually taken from the rib, shoulder, or loin and containing a bone.
Chop
A short irregular motion of waves.
Chop
An area of choppy water, as on an ocean.
Chop
The official stamp or seal of a government, company, or individual, especially in China.
Chop
Quality; class
First chop.
Chop
A cut of meat, often containing a section of a rib.
I only like lamb chops with mint jelly.
Chop
A blow with an axe, cleaver, or similar utensil.
It should take just one good chop to fell the sapling.
Chop
(martial arts) A blow delivered with the hand rigid and outstretched.
A karate chop.
Chop
Ocean waves, generally caused by wind, distinguished from swell by being smaller and not lasting as long.
Chop
(poker) A hand where two or more players have an equal-valued hand, resulting in the chips being shared equally between them.
With both players having an ace-high straight, the pot was a chop.
Chop
Termination, especially from employment; the sack.
Chop
A woodchopping competition.
Chop
(dated) A crack or cleft; a chap.
Chop
A turn of fortune; change; a vicissitude.
Chop
A jaw of an animal.
Chop
A movable jaw or cheek, as of a vice.
Chop
The land at each side of the mouth of a river, harbour, or channel.
East Chop; West Chop
Chop
An official stamp or seal, as in China and India.
Chop
A mark indicating nature, quality, or brand.
Silk of the first chop
Chop
A license or passport that has been sealed.
Chop
A complete shipment.
A chop of tea
Chop
(internet) An IRC channel operator.
Chop
(transitive) To cut into pieces with short, vigorous cutting motions.
Chop wood; chop an onion
Chop
(transitive) To sever with an axe or similar implement.
Chop off his head.
Chop
(transitive) to give a downward cutting blow or movement, typically with the side of the hand.
Chop
To hit the ball downward so that it takes a high bounce.
Chop
(poker) To divide the pot (or tournament prize) between two or more players. en
Chop
(intransitive) To make a quick, heavy stroke or a series of strokes, with or as with an ax.
Chop
(intransitive) To do something suddenly with an unexpected motion; to catch or attempt to seize.
Chop
(intransitive) To interrupt; with in or out.
Chop
To remove the final character from (a text string).
Chop
(obsolete) To exchange, to barter; to swap.
Chop
To chap or crack.
Chop
(nautical) To vary or shift suddenly.
The wind chops about.
Chop
(obsolete) To twist words.
Chop
To converse, discuss, or speak with another.
Chop
To cut by striking repeatedly with a sharp instrument; to cut into pieces; to mince; - often with up.
Chop
To sever or separate by one more blows of a sharp instrument; to divide; - usually with off or down.
Chop off your hand, and it to the king.
Chop
To seize or devour greedily; - with up.
Upon the opening of his mouth he drops his breakfast, which the fox presently chopped up.
Chop
To make a quick strike, or repeated strokes, with an ax or other sharp instrument.
Chop
To do something suddenly with an unexpected motion; to catch or attempt to seize.
Out of greediness to get both, he chops at the shadow, and loses the substance.
Chop
To interrupt; - with in or out.
This fellow interrupted the sermon, even suddenly chopping in.
Chop
To barter or truck.
Chop
To exchange; substitute one thing for another.
We go on chopping and changing our friends.
Chop
To purchase by way of truck.
Chop
To vary or shift suddenly; as, the wind chops about.
Chop
To wrangle; to altercate; to bandy words.
Let not the counsel at the bar chop with the judge.
Chop
A change; a vicissitude.
Chop
The act of chopping; a stroke.
Chop
A piece chopped off; a slice or small piece, especially of meat; as, a mutton chop.
Chop
A crack or cleft. See Chap.
Chop
A jaw of an animal; - commonly in the pl. See Chops.
Chop
A movable jaw or cheek, as of a wooden vise.
Chop
The land at each side of the mouth of a river, harbor, or channel; as, East Chop or West Chop. See Chops.
Chop
Quality; brand; as, silk of the first chop.
Chop
A permit or clearance.
Chop
A small cut of meat including part of a rib
Chop
A tennis return made with a downward motion that puts backspin on the ball
Chop
A grounder that bounces high in the air
Chop
Cut into pieces;
Chop wood
Chop meat
Chop
Move suddenly
Chop
Strike sharply, as in some sports
Chop
Cut with a hacking tool
Chop
Hit sharply
Chop
To cut into pieces with repeated sharp blows.
I had to chop the wood for the fireplace.
Chop
To shape or form by chopping.
He chopped a sculpture out of the block of ice.
Common Curiosities
Can "Pare" refer to peeling fruits or vegetables?
Yes, "Pare" is often used to refer to peeling the skin off fruits or vegetables.
Does "Pare" imply more precision than "Chop"?
Yes, "Pare" usually implies more precision and care, often used for removing outer layers or edges.
Is "Chop" usually a more forceful action than "Pare"?
Typically, yes. "Chop" usually involves more force and less precision compared to "Pare."
Does "Pare" maintain the object's integrity?
Generally, yes. "Pare" removes the outer parts while maintaining the object's overall integrity.
Is "Chop" used to describe abrupt reductions?
Yes, "Chop" can describe abrupt, often substantial reductions, like chopping budgets.
Is "Chop" only used in a culinary context?
No, "Chop" can be used in various contexts, such as chopping wood, not just culinary ones.
Does "Pare" always imply removing the outer layer?
Typically, yes. "Pare" usually implies trimming or peeling off the outer layer or edge.
Is "Pare" specific to culinary contexts?
While often used in culinary contexts, "Pare" can also apply to other areas, like woodwork.
Does "Chop" require a specific tool?
No, "Chop" can involve various tools like knives or axes, depending on the context.
Can "Chop" refer to a reduction in numbers or amount?
Yes, "Chop" can also metaphorically refer to reducing numbers or amounts, such as budgets.
Can "Pare" refer to gradual reductions?
Yes, "Pare" can also metaphorically refer to gradual reductions, such as paring down expenses.
Can "Chop" imply separation of pieces?
Yes, "Chop" often results in the separation of the cut pieces.
Does "Chop" necessarily imply precision?
No, "Chop" does not necessarily imply precision and can be a relatively rough cut.
Is "Pare" used with a specific tool?
Typically, yes. "Pare" often involves using a small, precise knife like a paring knife.
Can both "Chop" and "Pare" be used metaphorically?
Yes, both terms can be used metaphorically to describe reductions in amounts, numbers, or extents.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
