jump the broom

jump the broom

1. To jump from one side of a broom to the other with one's new spouse. A custom that originates in various European heritages, it is now a widespread tradition in African-American communities. The phrase can also be written as "jump (over) the broomstick." It's important to me that we both jump the broom during our ceremony. Jumping over the broomstick symbolizes the sweeping away of one's past life and the start of a new one with your spouse.

2. By extension, to get married. It seemed like Thomas wasn't ever going to jump the broom, but I suppose it's never too late to find love. Martin and Mary will be jumping the broom next summer.

See also: broom, jump

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

jump over the broomstick

Rur. to get married. Jim and Jane have decided to jump over the broomstick. The happiest day of my life was when your mother said she'd jump over the broomstick with me.

See also: broomstick, jump, over

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