jig

Everyday

1. A jig is a fast, lively folk dance, especially from Ireland and Scotland, or the music for it. tree →
2. To jig is to dance or bounce up and down in a quick, happy way. tree →
3. A jig is a tool that holds a piece of wood or metal in place while you cut or drill it. tree →
4. (fishing) A jig is a type of fishing lure that is jerked up and down. tree →

In the lessons

Music and PE: Irish dancing and the Irish jig; St Patrick's Day. Design and technology: a jig for cutting. Phrases: «the jig is up» (informal: the trick has been found out).

Examples

• We learned an Irish jig in PE. tree →
• The fiddler played a lively jig. tree →
• The children jigged about with excitement. tree →
• Dad used a jig to cut all the pieces the same size. tree →
• «The jig is up!» said the detective. tree →
• My uncle caught a fish with a jig. tree →
• She did a little jig when she won. tree →

Note

Verb: jig, jigged, jigging (double «g»). «The jig is up» (US) / «the game is up» (UK) means a secret plan is discovered.