jack

Everyday

1. A tool for lifting a heavy thing, like a car, a little way off the ground. tree →
2. (cards) A playing card with a picture of a young man, between the ten and the queen; also called the knave. tree →
3. (electric) A socket where you plug in a lead, like a headphone jack. tree →
4. (games) jacks — a children's game of picking up small metal pieces while bouncing a ball; in bowls, the small white ball. tree →
5. (ship) A small flag on a ship, as in the Union Jack, the UK flag. tree →
6. (a name) Jack, a boy's name, often a nickname for John; in fairy tales Jack is a brave clever boy. tree →
7. (verb, informal) jack up = lift with a jack or raise prices; (UK slang) jack in = give up; (slang) jack = steal («he jacked my bike»). tree →
8. (male animal) A male donkey or hare is a jack. tree →

In the lessons

In fairy tales: «Jack and the Beanstalk», «Jack and Jill». Sayings: «jack of all trades» (someone who can do many jobs), «hit the jackpot», «jack-in-the-box». In Alice, the Knave (Jack) of Hearts stole the tarts. In safety: never go under a car held only by a jack. Phrases: «car jack», «headphone jack», «Union Jack», «jack it in».

Examples

• Dad used a jack to lift the car and change the tyre. tree →
• The Jack of Hearts stole the tarts. tree →
• Plug your headphones into the jack. tree →
• Jack climbed the beanstalk. tree →
• We played jacks on the playground. tree →
• The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom. tree →
• He was fed up and jacked in his job (UK slang). tree →
• The shop jacked up the price of sweets. tree →
• A jack-in-the-box popped up and made the baby laugh. tree →
• My uncle is a jack of all trades. tree →
• Jack uttered a cry of surprise. tree →

Note

Jack (name) has a capital letter. «Jack» and «knave» name the same card. The game «jacks» is plural. Slang «jack» = steal is rude-ish street talk; «jack all» (UK slang) = nothing.