jump
jump — verb
1. to push your body off the ground using your legs, so that you rise briefly into
to push your body off the ground using your legs, so that you rise briefly into the air and come back down
The children jumped excitedly when the clown entered the room.
jump + adverb (excitedly) for manner
Renata jumped as high as she could to slap the ceiling tile.
Nala loves to jump on her bed, even though her mother tells her not to.
jump + preposition (on) for landing surface
Ayesha jumped off the low wall and landed on the soft grass below.
- jump up
- jump down
- jump in
- jump out
- jump on
- jump off
- land
the return to the ground after jumping
Grammar Patterns
jump + adverb/preposition (up, down, in, out)
Usage Note
Often followed by an adverb or preposition that describes direction (up, down, over, into) or location (on, off).
Common Mistakes
2. to jump repeatedly while a rope is turned beneath you and above you, done for fi
to jump repeatedly while a rope is turned beneath you and above you, done for fitness or as a children's pastime
During PE class, the students practiced jumping rope to improve their coordination.
jump rope as a fixed phrase for the activity
Sofia can jump rope for ten minutes without stopping.
The girls on the playground were jumping rope and singing a rhyme.
Nikos jumped rope with his friends during recess every afternoon.
- jump rope
- jumping rope
- skip
more common in British English for this activity
Grammar Patterns
jump rope (fixed phrase)
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'jump rope' or 'jumping rope'. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on the repeated motion as an activity.
Common Mistakes
3. to push yourself off the ground so that you go over something such as a fence, p
to push yourself off the ground so that you go over something such as a fence, puddle, or low wall
The stray cat jumped over the garden fence and disappeared behind the shed.
jump + over + noun for clearing an obstacle
Ryo jumped a small stream on his way to school every morning.
jump + noun (direct object) — transitive use
The children had to jump across a wide puddle left by the rain.
The horse easily jumped the gate and galloped across the meadow.
jump + noun (transitive) for clearing an obstacle
- jump over
- jump across
- jump a fence
- jump a wall
- jump a stream
- trip over
to fall rather than successfully pass over
Grammar Patterns
jump + over/across + noun
jump + noun (direct object)
Usage Note
Can be used transitively (jump + object, e.g. 'jump the fence') or intransitively with a preposition (jump over/across the fence). The transitive form is more common in informal spoken English.
Common Mistakes
4. to move or do something quickly and suddenly, often because of a signal, instruc
to move or do something quickly and suddenly, often because of a signal, instruction, or urgent situation
When the fire alarm rang, everyone jumped to their feet and headed for the exit.
jump to one's feet — fixed phrase for standing up quickly
The taxi driver jumped out of his seat when he saw smoke from the engine.
The children jumped into the pool before their parents could say no.
jump into + noun for entering something quickly
Anjali jumped up from her chair when she heard her name called on the loudspeaker.
- jump to your feet
- jump into action
- jump out of the way
- jump up
- jump down
Grammar Patterns
jump + adverb/preposition (up, into, out of, to)
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on the speed and suddenness of the action rather than the vertical motion. Common in phrases like 'jump to your feet', 'jump into action', 'jump out of the way'.
Common Mistakes
5. to react to a surprise or scare by moving your body sharply and without thinking
to react to a surprise or scare by moving your body sharply and without thinking
The loud thunder made little Jack jump in his mother's arms.
make + person + jump — causative construction
Liam jumped when someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
The sudden creak of the door caused the old cat to jump off the sofa.
jump + off + noun — startle reaction with direction
A loud crash in the kitchen made Shirin jump while she was reading a book.
make + person + jump — causative construction
- make someone jump
- jump at the sound
- jump in surprise
- jump with fright
Grammar Patterns
jump (intransitive) — no object
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (deliberate jumping) and sense 4 (deliberate quick action). In this sense the movement is involuntary — the person does not choose to react. Often used with 'make + object + jump'.
Common Mistakes
6. to go up steeply in a short time, used especially about prices, temperatures, or
to go up steeply in a short time, used especially about prices, temperatures, or other measurable figures
The temperature jumped from fifteen to thirty degrees in just one week.
jump + from + number + to + number — measuring the rise
The company's profits jumped by forty percent last year after the new product launch.
jump + by + percentage — measuring the increase
Online orders jumped dramatically when the store announced its biggest sale of the year.
The price of cooking oil jumped by nearly twenty percent after the floods damaged the crops.
- jump by
- jump from…to
- jump to
- jump in price
- prices jump
Grammar Patterns
jump + (by/from/to) + amount/number
Usage Note
Common with quantities, prices, statistics, and measurements. Unlike 'increase' or 'rise', 'jump' emphasises the suddenness and large size of the change. Typically followed by 'by' (amount), 'from...to', or 'to'.
Common Mistakes
7. When a story, film, or play jumps, it shifts abruptly between different scenes,
When a story, film, or play jumps, it shifts abruptly between different scenes, time periods, or topics without a smooth connection.
The film jumps from the 1990s to the 1970s in its very first scene.
jump from [scene A] to [scene B]
Wren found the novel hard to follow because it kept jumping between three unrelated storylines.
jump between [items]
The documentary jumps from one expert opinion to another without giving clear facts.
The play jumps from a comedy scene to a tragedy without letting the audience adjust.
jump from [genre/type A] to [genre/type B]
- jump between scenes
- jump from topic to topic
- keep jumping around
- skip
less precise; can also mean intentionally leave out rather than rapidly shift
Grammar Patterns
jump + adv/prep
jump between [scenes/topics]
jump from [X] to [Y]
Usage Note
Usually followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase that shows the direction or range of the shift (e.g., between, from…to…, around).
Common Mistakes
8. to skip a step, stage, or item in a sequence that should normally be followed in
to skip a step, stage, or item in a sequence that should normally be followed in order.
The principal let Diya jump a grade because her test scores were so high.
jump a grade (school context)
The team jumped the formal introductions and went straight to business.
jump + [stage/step]
Pedro jumped the queue for tickets and the crowd started shouting at him.
Employees with special passes can jump the security line at busy airports.
- jump a grade
- jump the queue
- jump a step
- skip
more common in American English; 'skip a grade' vs 'jump a grade'
Grammar Patterns
jump + [stage/grade/step]
jump + the queue
Usage Note
Common in British English for 'jump the queue' (cutting in line). In American English, 'skip' is more common for most uses except 'jump a grade' in a school context.
Common Mistakes
9. to physically attack a person without warning, often from a hidden position or b
to physically attack a person without warning, often from a hidden position or by taking them by surprise.
Three masked men jumped Nicholas as he walked home from the night shift.
jump + [person] (physical surprise attack)
Gabriela's dog jumped the intruder before he could open the back door.
The gang jumped a delivery driver and stole the packages from his van.
Two teenagers jumped Yuki behind the gym and took her phone and wallet.
get jumped (passive) — informal for being attacked
- jump someone
- get jumped
Grammar Patterns
jump + [person]
Usage Note
Always transitive — you jump someone. Informal in register; in formal writing, 'assault' or 'ambush' would be used instead.
Common Mistakes
10. to drive past a traffic light while it is showing red, without stopping as requi
to drive past a traffic light while it is showing red, without stopping as required by law.
Tuan jumped a red light and a police car pulled him over immediately.
jump a red light
The bus driver was fined for jumping a red light near the school.
Cameras at traffic lights catch hundreds of drivers jumping red lights every month.
A motorcyclist jumped the traffic light and nearly hit a cyclist crossing the road.
- jump a red light
- jump the lights
- jump a traffic light
- run a red light
standard American English equivalent
- go through a red light
neutral, less idiomatic
Grammar Patterns
jump + [a/the] red light
jump + the lights
Usage Note
Most common in British English ('jump the lights' / 'jump a red light'). In American English, 'run a red light' is the typical expression.
Common Mistakes
11. to miss a required court hearing after posting bail, resulting in the forfeiture
to miss a required court hearing after posting bail, resulting in the forfeiture of the money paid for release.
The accused man jumped bail and was later found living abroad under a false name.
jump bail (fixed legal expression)
Nala's cousin jumped bail and disappeared, leaving his family to face the legal consequences.
Judge Okonkwo denied bail to Tomás, fearing he would jump it and flee the country.
jump it (pronoun referring to bail) — courtroom context
The businessman jumped bail and was arrested at the airport trying to board a flight.
jump bail + arrested (common narrative pattern)
- jump bail
- breach bail
more formal, legal term
Grammar Patterns
jump + bail
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively with the fixed noun 'bail' as the object. 'Jump bail' is a set phrase; you cannot normally replace 'bail' with other nouns for the same meaning.
Common Mistakes
12. A place that is jumping has many people in it and feels full of lively activity
A place that is jumping has many people in it and feels full of lively activity and exciting energy.
The night market was really jumping at eleven o'clock, with people crowding every food stall.
be jumping (lively place)
Liang's restaurant is always jumping during the lunch rush, so book a table early.
The dance hall was jumping until the band stopped playing just after midnight.
The town square was jumping with street performers and tourists on Saturday evening.
be jumping with + [people/activity]
- be jumping
- be jumping with people
- dead
informal; 'the place was dead' means no one was there
Grammar Patterns
be jumping
be jumping with [people/activity]
Usage Note
Used only in informal contexts, typically with 'be' (the place was jumping / the club is jumping). This sense does not take an object and cannot be used in progressive form as a regular transitive verb.
Common Mistakes
jump at
phrasal verbTo accept an opportunity or offer eagerly.
She jumped at the chance to study abroad.
When they offered him the job, he jumped at it.
jump in
phrasal verbTo interrupt a conversation or join an activity suddenly.
He jumped in with his opinion before I finished speaking.
Feel free to jump in if you have any questions.
jump on
phrasal verbTo criticize or attack someone suddenly.
The teacher jumped on the student for being late.
Why did you jump on me for that small mistake?
jump out at
phrasal verbTo be very noticeable or obvious.
The bright colors jump out at you from the painting.
Her talent really jumps out at you during the performance.
To be very angry or excited about something.
Maya was jumping up and down when she won the prize.
Why are you jumping up and down about that small mistake?
To join others in doing something popular to gain success or popularity.
Many companies jumped on the bandwagon of selling eco-friendly products.
After the trend started, Diego climbed on the bandwagon too.
jump/skip bail
idiomTo not appear in court after paying money to be released before trial.
The suspect skipped bail and fled the country.
If you jump bail, you will be arrested again.
To start a new difficult activity without preparation.
New teachers are often thrown in at the deep end.
Sara jumped in at the deep end when she started her own business.
To react very angrily to someone.
When I asked a simple question, he jumped down my throat.
Don't jump down her throat; she didn't mean it.
jump the gun
idiomTo do something too soon, before the right time.
The company jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready.
Let's not jump the gun; we need more information.
jump the lights
idiomTo drive through a red traffic light without stopping.
The driver jumped the lights and caused an accident.
You should never jump the lights, even if you are in a hurry.
To move suddenly because of a great shock.
The loud noise made me jump out of my skin.
When the cat suddenly appeared, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
jump the queue
idiomTo go to the front of a line without waiting for your turn.
A man jumped the queue at the supermarket checkout.
It is rude to jump the queue; you should wait your turn.
jump the rails
idiomTo leave the track suddenly, usually referring to a train.
The train jumped the rails and crashed into a field.
No one was hurt when the tram jumped the rails.
jump the shark
idiomWhen a TV show or series includes an unbelievable event to keep viewers, showing it is past its best.
Many fans think the show jumped the shark in its fifth season.
Did that series jump the shark when the main character came back from the dead?
jump ship
idiomTo leave a ship without permission.
Two sailors jumped ship when the boat docked in the port.
The captain warned the crew not to jump ship.
jump through hoops
idiomTo do many difficult or complicated tasks to achieve something.
Applicants must jump through hoops to get the scholarship.
We had to jump through hoops to get the permit approved.
To decide something too quickly without knowing all the facts.
Don't jump to conclusions; we haven't heard her side yet.
He leaped to the conclusion that she was guilty without evidence.
jump to it
idiomUsed to tell someone to hurry and do something quickly.
We need this done by noon, so jump to it!
The boss told the team to jump to it and finish the project.
jump — noun
1. the action of using your legs to lift your body away from the ground so that you
the action of using your legs to lift your body away from the ground so that you are briefly in the air
Ayana took a running jump and landed in the shallow end of the pool.
collocation: take a running jump
The young horse cleared the fence with an easy, graceful jump.
Nadia's first jump off the diving board was only one metre high.
collocation: jump off [something]
Andrés practised his standing jump every morning before basketball practice.
- take a jump
- running jump
- standing jump
- long jump
- high jump
- make a jump
- landing
the act of returning to the ground after being in the air
Usage Note
Often used with modifiers that describe the manner or distance of the jump, such as 'running jump', 'standing jump', 'long jump', or 'high jump'.
Common Mistakes
2. a quick, sudden movement of your body that you make without meaning to, caused b
a quick, sudden movement of your body that you make without meaning to, caused by something that surprises or frightens you
A loud bang from the kitchen made Samir give a startled jump.
collocation: give a startled jump
When the firework exploded, the cat gave a jump and hid under the sofa.
Liang woke with a sudden jump when his alarm clock crashed onto the floor.
collocation: with a jump
Élise gave a little jump when someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
- give a jump
- with a jump
- startled jump
- start
a brief, involuntary body movement caused by surprise, often smaller than a jump
Usage Note
Usually appears in fixed patterns such as 'give a jump' or 'with a jump'. The subject is typically a person or animal reacting to an unexpected sound or event.
Common Mistakes
3. a large and sudden rise in the amount, level, or value of something
a large and sudden rise in the amount, level, or value of something
There was a sharp jump in food prices after the summer drought.
collocation: jump in [something]
The company reported a big jump in online sales during the holiday season.
Stephanie was shocked by the sudden jump in her monthly rent.
Noor was surprised by the jump in airfares before the holiday season.
- jump in prices
- jump in temperature
- jump in sales
- sharp jump
- big jump
- sudden jump
Grammar Patterns
jump + in + noun phrase
Usage Note
Typically followed by 'in' to indicate what is rising, for example 'a jump in prices', 'a jump in temperature', or 'a jump in profits'. Often used with adjectives like 'sharp', 'big', or 'sudden'.
Common Mistakes
jump — adverb
1. in a way that is fully and exactly known, as if memorised perfectly through long
in a way that is fully and exactly known, as if memorised perfectly through long experience or study
Eli has delivered packages in this neighbourhood for twenty years and knows every street jump.
collocation: know [something] jump — thoroughly memorised
The exam was easy for Ritu because she knew all the grammar rules jump.
informal register: know + complex subject + jump
After a decade of rehearsal, Beatrix knew the entire piano sonata jump.
Apinya has driven a taxi in Bangkok for so long that she knows every shortcut jump.
pattern: know [something] jump with a place name and concrete noun
- know [something] jump
Grammar Patterns
know + noun phrase + jump
Usage Note
This sense is mainly used in the fixed phrase 'know (something) jump'. It is considered informal or dialectal and is rare in formal writing. It does not have a negative form — you would not say 'don't know it jump'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- jumpsverbA2
- jumpedverbA2
- jumpingverbA2
- jumpernounB1
- jumpyadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All six words describe leaving the ground, but they differ in manner and register. Jump is the most general and neutral — it works in almost any context, from a child hopping on a bed to an athlete in a competition. Leap suggests a longer, more dramatic movement, often forward rather than straight up, and carries a slightly literary or emotional tone (leap of faith, leap across a chasm). Bound implies a series of energetic, springy strides rather than a single upward motion — someone bounding up stairs moves quickly with long, light steps. Spring emphasises sudden, elastic power: a cat springs from a crouch, and the verb often paints a faster, more explosive picture than jump. Vault is specific to clearing an obstacle using hands or an athletic technique (vault over a wall, pole vault). Skip describes a light, playful movement alternating one foot then the other, or moving forward with small hops — it is slower and less forceful than any of the others. In everyday speech, jump covers most situations; leap and vault add dramatic emphasis for particular contexts.
Common collocations
Etymology
Jump first appeared in English around the early 1500s, though its precise origin is uncertain. It may be imitative — the word sounds like the thud of a body landing after a short hop. It could also come from an early Germanic source, related to the Dutch word gumpen (to bounce) or the Low German jumpen. By the 1600s the word had developed the sense of 'startle' or 'move suddenly', and the financial meaning (prices jump) emerged in the 1800s as newspapers began reporting market movements with vivid verbs.