Main Entry: ²cop

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): copped; cop·ping

Etymology: perhaps from Dutch kapen to steal, from Frisian kāpia to buy; akin to Old High German kouf trade — more at cheap

Date: 1704

transitive verb 1 slang : to get hold of : catch, capture; also : purchase
2 slang : steal, swipe
3 : adopt 2 <cop an attitude>intransitive verb slang : admit 2b —used with to <these small-timers would…cop to the smallest offense their attorney could negotiate — Tom Clancy>

— cop a plea : to plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid standing trial for a more serious one; broadly : to admit fault and plead for mercy