jump at

jump at (something)

To accept or seize something with alacrity, typically an opportunity. Mark complains about his teaching job a lot, but I knew if he were offered a tenured position in the school, he would jump at the chance. When our manager said she was leaving the company, I jumped at the opportunity to fill the job.

See also: jump

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

jump at someone or something

to jump in the direction of someone or something. The frog jumped at me, but I dodged it. The cat jumped at the leaf as it fell from the tree.

See also: jump

jump at something

Fig. to seize the opportunity to do something. (See also leap at the opportunity (to do something).) When I heard about John's chance to go to England, I knew he'd jump at it. If something you really want to do comes your way, jump at it.

See also: jump

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

jump at

Also, jump at the chance; jump at the bait. Take prompt advantage of, respond quickly to an opportunity. For example, When Dad said he'd help pay for my vacation, I jumped at the offer, or When the lead singer became ill, Sheila jumped at the chance to replace her, or They offered a large reward, hoping that someone would jump at the bait. [Mid-1700s]

See also: jump

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

jump at

v.

1. To leap or bound toward someone or something: The security guard jumped at the attacker.

2. To take advantage of something enthusiastically, as an opportunity; respond quickly to something: We jumped at the chance to invest in the project.

3. To make a sudden verbal attack on someone; lash out at someone: The students jumped at the speaker during the lecture.

See also: jump

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.