jump on

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

jump on (third-person singular simple present jumps on, present participle jumping on, simple past and past participle jumped on)

1. To board a vehicle.

   Jump on a nº9 bus, and it will take you more or less to the door.

2. (idiomatic) To attack verbally, to criticise excessively.

   I hate the way she's always jumping on me for the slightest little mistake.

3. (idiomatic) To take immediate action regarding; to avail oneself of without delay.
   • 2003 Oct. 28, "Banking Giant," New York Times (retrieved 15 June 2011):

     Community banks can jump on the opportunity to make changes.

   • 2011 Jan. 28, "How Your Name May Cost You at the Mall," Time:

     So later in life, when the Z's — and even onetime Z's who became A's through marriage — see an item they really like for sale or are offered a deal, they jump on it.

Derived terms

• jump on the bandwagon

See also

• get a jump on
• jump at the chance