The phrase 'chopping head' is incredibly graphic and violent, and therefore not suitable for all situations. Thankfully, there are plenty of synonyms that can be used in its place. Some possible choices include: beheading, decapitation, severing the head, cutting off the head, removing the crown, taking off the noggin, and lopping off the cranium. Each of these conveys the sense of violent physical harm that chopping head implies, but in a slightly more palatable way. When choosing a synonym for chopping head, it's important to consider the audience and tone of the piece, as some words may be more appropriate than others.