noun

• (slang) Jaws, lips, mouth.
  "[…]who knows but ſome fine lady of St. James's pariſh might admit into her delicate mouth thoſe very cherries, which had been rolled and moiſtened between the filthy, and, perhaps, ulcerated chops of a St. Giles's huckſter[…]"
• (originally US jazz slang) One's skill at musical interpretation and delivery; musical performance ability.
  "Although the bass player had no experience playing in New Orleans, the crowd's enthusiastic response showed that he had the chops to make it in the very particular Crescent City jazz scene."
• (informal, by extension) One's skill at any endeavor; ability, talent; competency.
  "Although he did not know all of the ins and outs of the newsroom, he had the writing chops to become a regular contributor."
• (nautical) The area where two tides meet and cause an irregular (choppy) sea.