jump

jump ► VERB 1) push oneself off the ground using the muscles in one's legs and feet. 2) move over, onto, or down from by jumping. 3) move suddenly and quickly. 4) make a sudden involuntary movement in surprise. 5) (jump at/on) accept eagerly. 6) (often jump on) informal attack or criticize suddenly. 7) pass abruptly from one subject or state to another. 8) rise or increase suddenly. 9) (be jumping) informal (of a place) be very lively. 10) vulgar slang, chiefly N. Amer. have sexual intercourse with.

► NOUN 1) an act of jumping. 2) a large or sudden change or increase. 3) an obstacle to be jumped by a horse.

● get (or have) the jump on — Cf. ↑have the jump on

● jump down someone's throat — Cf. ↑jump down someone's throat

● jump out of one's skin — Cf. ↑jump out of one's skin

● jump the queue (or N. Amer. jump in line) — Cf. ↑jump the queue

● jump ship — Cf. ↑jump ship

● jump through hoops — Cf. ↑jump through hoops

● one jump ahead — Cf. ↑one jump ahead

DERIVATIVES jumpable adjective.

ORIGIN probably imitative of the sound of feet landing on the ground.