■ verb
1》 push oneself into the air using the muscles in one's legs and feet.
↘pass over by ~ing.
2》 move suddenly and quickly.
↘make a sudden involuntary movement in surprise.
↘get on or off (a vehicle) quickly.
↘(also ~ on ) informal attack or criticize suddenly.
3》 pass abruptly from one subject or state to another.
↘rise or increase suddenly.
↘ N. Amer. take summary possession of (land) after alleged abandonment or forfeiture by the former occupant.
4》 informal fail to stop at (a red traffic light).
5》 ( be ~ing ) informal (of a place) be very lively.
6》 ( ~ at/on ) accept eagerly.
7》 vulgar slang, chiefly N. Amer. have sex with.
8》 Bridge make a bid that is higher than necessary, in order to signal a strong hand.
■ noun
1》 an act of ~ing.
↘a sudden dramatic increase or change.
↘a sudden startled movement.
2》 an obstacle to be ~ed, especially by a horse in a competition.
3》 N. Amer. vulgar slang an act of sexual intercourse.
4》 Bridge a bid that is higher than necessary.
Phrases
get (or have ) the ~ on N. Amer. informal get (or have) an advantage over (someone) due to prompt action.
~ down someone's throat informal respond in a sudden and angry way.
~ out of one's skin informal be very startled.
~ the queue push into a queue of people.
↘take unfair precedence over others.
~ the rails (or track ) (of a train) become dislodged from the track.
~ ship (of a sailor) leave a ship without permission.
~ through hoops be made to go through a complicated procedure.
~ (or leap ) to conclusions (or the conclusion) form an opinion hastily without considering all the facts.
~ to it! informal act promptly.
one ~ ahead one stage ahead of a rival.
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
C16: prob. imitative of the sound of feet landing on the ground.