Common Idioms-Idioms -J
jam on the brakes
- quickly put the brakes on in a car to stop
He jammed on the brakes and was able to avoid hitting the child.
jam-packed
- crowded, full
The train that we took this morning was jam-packed with people.
jazz up
- brighten up, add more noise or movement or color
They really jazzed up the community center for the party tonight.
John Doe
- name used for an unknown person
Why do the application forms use “John Doe” as the name of the person who is applying for something?
John Henry (John Hancock)
- signature
Please sign your John Henry here and we will process your order right away.
Johnny-come-lately
- new-comer
He`s a Johnny-come-lately and doesn`t really know what he is talking about.
Johnny-on-the-spot
- be at the right place when needed, right on time
He`s always Johnny-on-the-spot. Just when we need him he arrives.
jump all over someone
- criticize, scold, blame
As soon as I began to talk about my plans for the summer he jumped all over me.
jump at
- take or accept quickly and gladly
He jumped at the chance to go to Europe on company business.
jump bail
- run away and fail to come to trial and give up the money you have already paid to the court
He jumped bail and decided to go and live in a foreign country.
jump down someone`s throat
- criticize or become angry with someone
As soon as I reached the office he jumped down my throat over the missing file.
jumping-off place
- the starting place of a long trip
We gathered early in the morning at the jumping-off place for our trip to the mountains.
jump on someone
- scold, criticize, blame
Everyone jumped on him at the meeting because they were angry about the new schedules.
jump on the bandwagon (also get or climb on the bandwagon)
- join a popular activity
Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon to try and stop smoking in the workplace.
jump out of one`s skin
- be badly frightened
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw him at the window.
jump the gun
- start before you should
He jumped the gun and started selling the tickets before he should.
jump through a hoop
- do whatever one is told to do, obey any order
He is always ready to jump through a hoop for his boss so he is not very popular with the other employees.
jump to conclusions
- make a quick conclusion without thinking
Please don`t jump to conclusions over who broke the computer.
just about
- nearly, almost
I waited just about one hour before the concert started.
just now
- this very moment, a minute ago
The accident happened just now. The police haven`t even arrived yet.
just so
- with great care, very carefully
She always makes sure that her hair is just so before she goes out.
just the same
- nevertheless
I told her not to come early but just the same she came early anyway.
