jig
jig — noun
- jigsingular
- jigsplural
1. a lively type of dance that comes from Ireland, Scotland, and England, where the
a lively type of dance that comes from Ireland, Scotland, and England, where the dancer makes quick, springy steps in a 3-beat rhythm, or the music written for this dance
The fiddler played a fast jig, and soon people were clapping along.
collocation: play a jig (music)
Liam learned to dance an Irish jig from his grandmother in Dublin.
collocation: dance a jig
The festival opened with a lively jig performed by four teenage dancers.
Shirin bought a CD of traditional folk music that includes several jigs and reels.
用法筆記
The word 'jig' can refer either to the dance itself or to the piece of music written for it. Common verbs used with this sense include 'dance', 'play', and 'perform'.
常見錯誤
2. any piece of equipment that keeps a workpiece or tool firmly in the correct plac
any piece of equipment that keeps a workpiece or tool firmly in the correct place while you cut, drill, or shape it
Brandon used a homemade jig to drill evenly spaced holes in the shelf.
collocation: use a jig (to do something)
The metal jig kept the pipe steady while Tomás filed the rough edge.
A simple wooden jig helps beginners cut identical pieces without measuring each time.
Rachid adjusted the jig before guiding the saw along the marked line.
用法筆記
Common in woodworking and metalworking. A jig differs from a clamp or vise because it not only holds the workpiece but also guides the tool (e.g. a drill bit or saw blade).
常見錯誤
3. a heavy artificial bait for fishing, designed to be moved up and down through th
a heavy artificial bait for fishing, designed to be moved up and down through the water using short, sharp pulls to make it look like a small wounded creature and attract fish
Vinícius tied a red-and-white jig to his line and cast it into deep water.
collocation: tie a jig / cast a jig
Nadia prefers a heavy jig when fishing for bass near the bottom of the lake.
collocation: heavy jig (weight-based classification)
The shop sells brightly coloured jigs designed to look like small wounded fish.
Lotte jerked the jig upward through the water to catch the attention of a pike.
- lure
a general term for any artificial bait; a jig is a specific type of heavy lure
- spinnerbait
a different type of fishing lure with spinning blades, not designed for vertical jerking
用法筆記
The noun 'jig' in this sense is the source of the verb sense 'to jig' (to fish with a jig). The action of jerking the lure up and down is called 'jigging'.
jig — verb
- jigpresent simple I / you / we / they
- jigs3rd person singular
- jigging-ing form
- jiggedpast simple
1. to make short, springy movements backwards and forwards or higher and lower, pus
to make short, springy movements backwards and forwards or higher and lower, pushing against something or shaking, or to cause a person or object to do this
The little boy jigged impatiently on the step while waiting for the school bus.
intransitive: jig + adverb of manner
Lakshmi jigged the key in the lock until it finally clicked open.
transitive: jig + object + prepositional phrase
Ilan jigged his leg nervously under the desk during the exam.
The old washing machine jigged across the kitchen floor during the spin cycle.
文法句型
jig + adverb/preposition
jig + object + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English than American English. The related word 'jiggle' (to make small, quick movements) is used more widely in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. to fish by moving a heavy artificial bait up and down through the water with qui
to fish by moving a heavy artificial bait up and down through the water with quick, short pulls, in order to attract and catch fish
The fishermen took the boat out early to jig for cod in the deep channel.
pattern: jig for [type of fish]
James spent the morning jigging off the pier but did not get a single bite.
progressive form: jigging
Shirin prefers to jig for mackerel because they bite eagerly near the surface.
Lakshmi learned to jig from her uncle during their summer trip to the coast.
- troll
to fish by dragging a lure behind a moving boat, rather than jerking it up and down
文法句型
jig for + fish type
用法筆記
Almost always used in fishing contexts. The continuous form 'jigging' is very common (e.g. 'go jigging'). The object of the preposition is always the type of fish being targeted.
3. to perform a jig, a lively traditional dance from Ireland, Scotland, and England
to perform a jig, a lively traditional dance from Ireland, Scotland, and England, using quick, springy steps in a 3-beat rhythm
When Lotte heard the good news, she jigged across the kitchen floor with joy.
adverb of manner: jigged across [place] with [emotion]
The children jigged happily to the fiddle music at the summer festival.
Grandpa still knows how to jig even though he is over eighty years old.
Nadia jigged around the campfire until the other campers joined in.
文法句型
jig + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
This verb is derived directly from the noun sense (dance). It is most commonly used in informal or nostalgic contexts about traditional dancing, especially in Irish or Scottish cultural settings.