Main Entry: ¹jump

Pronunciation: \ˈjəmp\

Function: verb

Etymology: probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

Date: 1530

intransitive verb 1 a : to spring into the air : leap; especially : to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs b : to move suddenly or involuntarily : start c : to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece d : to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism e : to start out or forward : begin —usually used with off <jump off to a big lead> f : to move energetically : hustle g : to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another <jump to a subroutine>
2 : coincide, agree
3 a : to move haphazardly or irregularly : shift abruptly <jumped from job to job> b : to change or abandon employment especially in violation of contract c : to rise suddenly in rank or status d : to undergo a sudden sharp change in value <prices jumped> e : to make a jump in bridge f : to make a hurried judgment <jump to conclusions> g : to show eagerness <jumped at the chance> h : to enter eagerly <jump on the bandwagon>
4 : to make a sudden physical or verbal attack <jumped on him for his criticism>
5 : to bustle with activity <the bar was jumping with young people>transitive verb 1 a : to leap over <jump a hurdle> b : to move over (a piece) in a board game c : to act, move, or begin before (as a signal) <jump the green light> d : to leap aboard <jump a freight>
2 obsolete : risk, hazard
3 a : to escape from : avoid b : to leave hastily or in violation of contract <jump town without paying their bills — Hamilton Basso> c : to depart from (a normal course) <jump the track>
4 a : to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on b : to occupy illegally <jump a mining claim>
5 a (1) : to cause to leap (2) : to cause (game) to break cover : start, flush b : to elevate in rank or status c : to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank d : to increase suddenly and sharply

— jump bail : to abscond after being released from prison on bail

— jump ship 1 : to leave the company of a ship without authority
2 : to desert a cause or party especially abruptly : defect

— jump the gun 1 : to start in a race before the starting signal
2 : to act, move, or begin something before the proper time

— jump the queue British : to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line

— jump the shark of a TV series : to sustain an irreparable decline in popularity following an absurd or incongruous event in the story line