Definition

Verb: 1. To leap or spring down from an elevated point: To propel oneself into the air from a height, typically descending to a lower level. 2. To begin or start, especially quickly and successfully: To commence an activity or process with immediate energy and positive results.

Usage

• The primary meaning describes a physical action of leaping from a height.
• The secondary, figurative meaning describes the start of a non-physical endeavor, such as a project, season, or performance.

Examples

• Literal Meaning (leap from a height):
  • The daredevil planned to jump off the cliff into the water below.
  • It is extremely dangerous to jump off a moving train.
• Figurative Meaning (begin successfully):
  • The new product line jumped off to strong sales in its first quarter.
  • After a good preseason, the team jumped off to a 5-0 record.

Advanced Usage

• "to jump off the page": (idiomatic) To be immediately striking, vivid, or noticeable.
  • The bold colors in the painting really jump off the page.
• "to jump off the deep end": A variant of "jump in at the deep end," meaning to start a difficult undertaking without preparation.
  • He jumped off the deep end by buying the business with no prior experience.

Variants and Related Words

• Jump-off (noun): A point from which a leap is made; a starting point. Also, in some contexts (e.g., equestrian sports), a jump-off is a tie-breaking round.
  • The ledge served as the jump-off for their dive.
  • The competition was decided in a thrilling jump-off.
• Jump (verb): The base form, meaning to push oneself into the air.

Synonyms

• Leap off: To jump from.
• Plunge from: To fall or jump suddenly from.
• Start strongly: To begin with vigor and success.
• Get off to a flying start: To begin very successfully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Jump on: To criticize or attack verbally; or to eagerly join or take advantage of something.
  • The manager jumped on him for the mistake.
  • Investors jumped on the new stock offering.
• Jump at: To accept something eagerly.
  • She jumped at the chance to work abroad.

Related Idioms

• Jump off the bandwagon: To stop supporting a popular trend or activity. (A less common variant of "fall off the bandwagon").
• Jump off the rails: To go out of control or fail completely. (A variant of "go off the rails").
  • The project jumped off the rails after the lead designer quit.

Verb

1. jump down from an elevated point
   • the parachutist didn't want to jump
   • every year, hundreds of people jump off the Golden Gate bridge
   • the widow leapt into the funeral pyre
2. set off quickly, usually with success
   • The freshman jumped off to a good start in his math class