Cool MateCops vs We're not scared of coppers
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cops
SlangTop 2,000 (common)
We're not scared of coppers
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: We're not scared of coppersMost common: Cops
| Cops | We're not scared of coppers | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɒps//🇺🇸 //kɑps// | 🇬🇧 //wɪə nɒt skɛəd əv ˈkɒpəz//🇺🇸 //wɪr nɑt skɛrd əv ˈkɑpərz// |
| Meaning | A slang term for police officers. | We don't feel afraid of police officers. |
| Example | The cops arrived quickly after the accident. | In our neighborhood, we're not scared of coppers. |
| Register | Slang | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | call the cops, cops and robbers, cops on the beat, friendly cops | scared of coppers, fearless of police, not intimidated by officers, defiant against law enforcement, confident around cops |
| Antonyms | criminals, lawbreakers | - |
| Common mistakes | Misuse 'cops' in formal writing., 'Cops' is plural; don't use it as a singular., Confuse with 'copper', which can also mean police but is older slang. | Confused with 'copper' as in metal., Misunderstanding the informal tone., Using in formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to refer to police officers, mostly in casual conversation. Avoid in formal contexts. | This phrase is casual and often used in conversations. It may be seen as disrespectful towards police, so consider the context. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Cops vs We're not scared of coppers
What's the difference between Cops and We're not scared of coppers?
Cops: A slang term for police officers. We're not scared of coppers: We don't feel afraid of police officers.
Which is more formal: Cops and We're not scared of coppers?
We're not scared of coppers is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Cops and We're not scared of coppers?
Cops is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Cops: The cops arrived quickly after the accident. We're not scared of coppers: In our neighborhood, we're not scared of coppers.
Can I use Cops and We're not scared of coppers interchangeably?
Not always. Cops and We're not scared of coppers are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.