take a pop at (someone or something)

take a pop at (someone or something)

1. To punch or attempt to strike someone or something. Primarily heard in UK. He wouldn't quit mouthing off, so I went over and took a pop at him. Jessie got so drunk that she actually took a pop at the statue on Main Street. I think she busted up her hand, too.

2. To criticize, mock, or deride someone or something. Primarily heard in UK. Everyone in the media likes to take pops at the senator's eccentric personality, but he actually has very sound political ideas. Mary's always taking a pop at me for dating a guy 10 years younger than me, but I think she's just secretly jealous.

3. To make an attempt at some activity. A: "Do you want to try driving my car, to see how you like it?" B: "Yeah, sure, I'll take a pop at it." Here is the math problem. Anyone want to take a pop at it?

See also: pop, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

take a pop at someone

 and take a poke at someone

to punch at someone. Willie took a pop at me, but I ducked. The drunk took a poke at the cop—which was the wrong thing to do.

See also: pop, take

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

take a pop at someone

or

have a pop at someone

BRITISH, JOURNALISM, INFORMAL

If you take a pop at another person or have a pop at them, you hit them. Andy was just having a quiet drink with some of his pals when this guy took a pop at him. I had been in my fair share of fights at school but the more successful I was on the cricket field, the more these guys wanted to have a pop at me.

See also: pop, someone, take

take a pop at someone/something

or

have a pop at someone/something

BRITISH, JOURNALISM, INFORMAL

COMMON If you take a pop at someone or something or have a pop at them, you criticize them. Even his once loyal staff have started taking a pop at him in the press. When females gather together, they like to have a pop at us chaps.

See also: pop, someone, something, take

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

take a pop at someone

tv. to punch at someone. The drunk took a pop at the cop—which was the wrong thing to do.

See also: pop, someone, take

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.