jump
jump (jŭmp) verb
jumped, jumping, jumps
verb, intransitive
1. a. To spring off the ground or other base by a muscular effort of the legs and feet. b. To move suddenly and in one motion: jumped out of bed. c. To move involuntarily, as in surprise: jumped when the phone rang. d. To parachute from an aircraft.
2. a. Informal. To move quickly; hustle: Jump when I give you an order. b. To take prompt advantage; respond quickly: jump at a bargain.
3. a. To enter eagerly into an activity; plunge: jumped into the race for the nomination. b. To begin or start. Often used with off: The project jumped off with great enthusiasm but interest flagged during the summer.
4. To form an opinion or a judgment hastily: jump to conclusions.
5. To make a sudden verbal attack; lash out: jumped at me for being late; jumped on her subordinates for their carelessness.
6. a. To undergo a sudden and pronounced increase: Prices jumped in October. b. To rise suddenly in position or rank: jumped over two others with more seniority.
7. To move discontinuously or change after a short period: jumps from one subject to another; jumped from one job to another.
8. a. To be displaced by a sudden jerk: The phonograph needle jumped. b. To be displaced vertically or laterally because of improper alignment: The film jumped during projection.
9. Computer Science. To move from one set of instructions in a program to another out of sequence.
10. Games. a. To move over an opponent's playing piece in a board game. b. To make a jump bid in bridge.
11. Slang. To be lively; bustle: a disco that really jumps.
verb, transitive
1. To leap over or across: jump a fence.
2. To leap onto: jump a bus.
3. Slang. To spring upon in sudden attack; assault or ambush: Muggers jumped him in the park.
4. To move or start prematurely before: jumped the starting signal.
5. To cause to leap: jump a horse over a fence.
6. To cause to increase suddenly: Unexpected shortages jumped milk prices by several cents a quart.
7. To pass over; skip: The typewriter jumped a space.
8. To raise in rank or position; promote.
9. Games. a. To move a piece over (an opponent's piece) in a board game, often thereby capturing the opponent's piece. b. To raise (a partner's bid) in bridge by more than is necessary.
10. To jump-start (a motor vehicle).
11. To leave (a course), especially through mishap: The train jumped the rails.
12. Slang. a. To leave hastily; skip: jumped town a step ahead of the police. b. To leave (an organization, for example) suddenly or in violation of an agreement: jumped the team and signed with a rival club.
13. To seize or occupy illegally: jump a mining claim.
14. To forfeit (bail) by failing to appear in court.
noun
1. a. The act of jumping; a leap. b. The distance covered by a jump: a jump of seven feet. c. An obstacle or a span to be jumped.
2. A descent from an aircraft by parachute.
3. Sports. Any of several track-and-field events in which contestants jump.
4. Informal. An initial competitive advantage; a head start: got the jump on the other daily papers.
5. a. A sudden pronounced rise, as in price or salary. b. An impressive promotion.
6. A step or level: managed to stay a jump ahead of the others.
7. A sudden or major transition, as from one career or subject to another.
8. a. A short trip. b. One in a series of moves and stopovers, as with a circus or road show.
9. Games. A move in a board game over an opponent's piece.
10. Computer Science. A movement from one set of instructions to another.
11. a. An involuntary nervous movement; a start. b. jumps A condition of nervousness. Often used with the.
12. A jump-start of a motor vehicle.
idiom.
jump the gun
To start doing something too soon.
[Middle English jumpen, to jump (sense uncertain).]