Definition

1. Noun:

   • A short crowbar: A small, often angled, metal tool used for prying or forcing things open, especially by burglars or locksmiths. In British English, it is also called a "jemmy."

2. Verb:

   • To move or force something open, especially with a lever: To use force, typically with a tool like a jimmy, to open something that is locked, fastened, or stuck.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The detective found a jimmy near the broken window, indicating forced entry.
  • He used a jimmy to pry open the stuck crate.

• Verb:

  • The thief jimmied the window lock to get inside.
  • I had to jimmy the old drawer because the key was lost.

Advanced Usage

• "to jimmy one's way into": to force entry into a place or situation, often with effort or cunning.
  • The reporter jimmied his way into the exclusive press conference.

Variants and Related Words

• Jemmy (noun): The British English variant of "jimmy," meaning a short crowbar.
• Crowbar (noun): A general term for a straight or curved iron bar used as a lever. A jimmy is a specific, often smaller, type of crowbar.
• Pry bar (noun): Another general term for a tool used for prying.

Synonyms

• Noun: Pry bar, lever, wrecking bar.
• Verb: Pry, force, lever open.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The primary usage is as a standard transitive verb.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms that center on the word "jimmy.")

Noun

1. a short crowbar
   • in Britain they call a jimmy and jemmy

Verb

1. to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
   • The burglar jimmied the lock: Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail