1 C1 idiomatic informal
(Irish English) To force oneself to become more sensible, realistic, or mature.
"He really needs to cop himself on before he loses his job."
inseparable
cop oneself on
C1 informal inseparable transitive
Irish English informal: a reflexive form of 'cop on,' meaning to make oneself become more sensible or responsible.
In plain English
To make yourself stop being silly and act more sensibly.
What does "cop oneself on" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Exclusively Irish English (Hiberno-English). The reflexive 'oneself' (or 'yourself,' 'himself,' etc.) adds emphasis. Used as a direct rebuke or self-directed command. Interchangeable with 'cop on' but slightly more emphatic.
Words that pair with "cop oneself on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
yourself himself herself
How to conjugate "cop oneself on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cop oneself on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cops oneself on
he/she/it
Past simple
coped oneself on
yesterday
Past participle
coped oneself on
have + pp
-ing form
coping oneself on
continuous
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