jag
/dʤæg/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A sharp projection or point on an edge or surface: A jag is a pointed, often irregular, protrusion.
- A bout or period of unrestrained activity, especially of drinking or drug-taking: A jag refers to a short, intense, and often uncontrolled spell of a particular activity.
- A flap or decorative slit in a garment: In historical clothing, a jag is a cut or slash in fabric, sometimes revealing a different color underneath.
Verb:
- To cut or form into sharp, uneven points or notches: To jag something means to give it a ragged, toothed, or serrated edge.
Examples
- Noun (Sharp Projection):
- He carefully avoided the jag of broken glass on the floor.
- The saw's blade had a dangerous jag after hitting a nail.
- Noun (Bout of Activity):
- After his team lost, he went on a crying jag.
- She was on a shopping jag and bought three new dresses.
- Noun (Garment Detail):
- The knight's tunic was decorated with colorful jags along the sleeves.
- Verb:
- The craftsman jagged the edge of the leather to create a decorative pattern.
- The fabric was jagged by the rough handling.
Advanced Usage
- "On a jag": Experiencing a period of intense, often compulsive, engagement in an activity.
- He's on a cleaning jag and has reorganized the entire garage.
- "Tear/jag/rip a strip off someone" (idiomatic, related concept): To reprimand someone severely. (Note: This idiom uses the concept of tearing, related to creating a jagged edge.)
- The manager tore a strip off the employee for the missed deadline.
Variants and Related Words
- Jagged (adjective): Having a rough, sharp, or uneven edge or surface.
- They hiked along the jagged coastline.
- Jaggy (adjective): Another term for jagged.
- The jaggy rocks made climbing difficult.
Synonyms
- Noun (Projection): Barb, point, snag, spur, protrusion.
- Noun (Bout): Spree, binge, stint, spell, session.
- Verb: Serrate, notch, indent, pink (in sewing).
Related Phrasal Verbs
(This word is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal use is typically transitive and direct.)
Related Idioms
- "Have a jag on" (informal, chiefly North American): To be intoxicated or on a drinking spree.
- He had a jag on and wasn't making much sense.
- "Nervous jag": A fit of anxiety or nervousness.
- She had a nervous jag before her big presentation.
Noun
- a bout of drinking or drug taking
- a flap along the edge of a garment; used in medieval clothing
- a slit in a garment that exposes material of a different color underneath; used in Renaissance clothing
- a sharp projection on an edge or surface
- he clutched a jag of the rock
Verb
- cut teeth into; make a jagged cutting edge