PhrasesHub

Cop an attitude

    Definitions

      • To have a negative or disrespectful attitude
        To describe someone who is acting rude, hostile or confrontational in their behavior or mannerisms

      • To adopt a particular attitude or demeanor
        To express oneself in a certain way, often with an air of superiority or defiance

      • To acquire or take on an attitude or mindset
        To become influenced or influenced by a certain way of thinking or behaving, often in a negative or rebellious manner

    Examples of Cop an attitude

    • Sarah copped an attitude during the team meeting when she refused to listen to her colleagues' suggestions and instead started to argue with them.

      This example is used in a sentence where Sarah, instead of being cooperative during a team meeting, became rude and started arguing with others. 'Copped an attitude' in this context means that she behaved rudely or disrespectfully towards others.

    • Mark has been copping an attitude ever since he got a promotion.

      This example shows a continuing behavior of Mark since he got promoted. 'Copping an attitude' here means that Mark has been showing an arrogant or rude behavior since his promotion.

    • My brother copped an attitude when I suggested he clean his room.

      This example shows a specific situation where my brother reacted rudely to my suggestion to clean his room. 'Copped an attitude' here means that my brother showed a rude or disrespectful behavior to my suggestion.

    • The salesperson copped an attitude when I asked for a discount.

      This example shows a situation where the salesperson behaved rudely when I asked for a discount. 'Copped an attitude' here means that the salesperson showed a rude or arrogant behavior when I asked for a discount.

    • The teacher was frustrated with her student's behavior during class. She rolled her eyes and said, "Can't you just enjoy learning instead of copping an attitude all the time?"

      In this example, "copping an attitude" is used as a noun phrase. It refers to the student's persistent negative and disrespectful behavior towards the teacher.

    • Sarah's boss was surprised by her recent lack of enthusiasm during team meetings. He said, "I don't understand why you're suddenly copping an attitude. You used to be such an engaged employee."

      In this example, "copping an attitude" is used as a present participle phrase. It refers to Sarah's current behavior of being dismissive and uninterested in her job.

    • Jake's parents had asked him to help his sister with her homework, but instead, he walked away and said, "I'm not your servant. Why do I always have to cop an attitude just because you need something from me?"

      In this example, "copping an attitude" is used as a present participle phrase followed by a subject pronoun. It emphasizes Jake's resentment and frustration at being constantly asked to do favors for his sister.

    • The party was packed with people, and Jane felt lost in the crowd. She caught a glimpse of a guy who looked like he was trying to avoid her, and she said to her friend, "Why is it that every time I want to enjoy myself, I wind up copping an attitude from someone else?"

      In this example, "copping an attitude" is used as a present participle phrase followed by a linking verb. It highlights Jane's annoyance at being unintentionally treated poorly by someone else and how it ruins her own mood.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "cop an attitude" is typically used to describe someone who is displaying a negative or disrespectful attitude. This can be seen in their behavior, mannerisms, or general demeanor. It can also refer to someone who is adopting a particular attitude or mindset, often with an air of superiority or defiance. Additionally, it can be used to describe someone who has been influenced or influenced by a certain way of thinking or behaving, often in a negative or rebellious manner.

    Origin of "Cop an attitude"

    The origin of the idiom "cop an attitude" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. The word "cop" in this context is thought to come from the slang term meaning to obtain or acquire something. The word "attitude" in this phrase refers to a person's way of thinking or behaving.

    Some sources suggest that the idiom may have originated from the phrase "cop a feel", which was a popular slang term in the 1940s and 1950s. This phrase referred to someone touching or groping someone else without their permission, often in a sexual manner. Over time, the phrase evolved to "cop an attitude", with the word "feel" being replaced by "attitude".

    The idiom "cop an attitude" became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, with its usage appearing in various forms of media, such as music and television shows. It is now a commonly used phrase in everyday language, often used to describe someone who is being rude or confrontational.