Chump Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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chump
[tʃʌmp ]
Definition
informal context
A chump is a person who is easily deceived or tricked; a fool. It often denotes someone who is gullible or lacks good judgment, particularly in situations where they could be taken advantage of.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Don't be a chump; read the fine print before signing the contract.
- He's such a chump for believing that get-rich-quick scheme.
- She felt like a chump after falling for his lies.
Translations
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Origin of 'chump'
The term 'chump' likely originates from the 19th-century British slang, deriving from the word 'chump' used to describe a clumsy or incompetent person. It appears to have evolved from earlier usages in the UK and later American slang, where it became more associated with the idea of a gullible individual. The word is thought to be linked to the Middle English 'chumpen', meaning to strike or to hit, reflecting the idea of being 'hit' or taken in by a deception. The usage of 'chump' to indicate a fool or someone easily tricked became more widespread in American English during the 20th century.