Meaning & use
acting chops
Last updated
Meaning
phrasepluralinformal
A performer's skill or talent, especially in acting.
Grammar: Always plural; used with verbs like 'have', 'show', or 'prove'.
Patterns
- have acting chops
- show acting chops
- prove one's acting chops
She really showed her acting chops in that emotional scene.
He doesn't have the acting chops to carry a whole movie.
The director was impressed by the young actor's acting chops.
Common combinations
- show acting chops
- The audition gave her a chance to show her acting chops.
- have acting chops
- He has the acting chops to play a complicated villain.
- prove one's acting chops
- She proved her acting chops in a low-budget independent film.
- lack acting chops
- Critics said the star lacked acting chops but had great charisma.
Synonyms and how they differ
- acting skills
- A neutral, more formal way to say the same thing; 'acting chops' sounds more informal and admiring.
- talent
- A general word for natural ability; 'acting chops' refers specifically to skill in acting.
Commonly confused: acting chops or chops?
acting chops vs chops
On its own, 'chops' can mean technical skill in music (jazz chops) or, informally, a person's mouth or cheeks. 'Acting chops' is a set phrase for acting ability.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'acting chops' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Acting chops' means acting skill or talent, so it fits the sentence about winning awards for stage roles. The other options misuse the phrase: cooking, shopping, and walking have nothing to do with acting ability.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “acting chops”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.