jive
jive — noun
1. a fast, lively partner dance performed to swing music, with quick steps and ener
a fast, lively partner dance performed to swing music, with quick steps and energetic turns, that was especially fashionable among teenagers and young adults in the mid-20th century and later became a standard competitive ballroom dance.
At the school dance, Reuben and Jiwoo showed others how to do the jive.
collocation: 'do the jive'
The jive was one of the most popular dance styles among teenagers in the 1950s.
Soraya's grandparents first met at a dance hall where they danced the jive together.
A swing band played a fast tune and the whole room erupted into the jive.
Gabriel spent six months practicing the jive for the national ballroom competition.
- swing dancing
broader term covering all partner dances to swing music from the 1920s–1940s, not just the specific 1940s–50s jive
- jitterbug
informal, looser term for energetic swing dancing; less structured than ballroom jive
文法句型
the jive
do the jive
dance the jive
用法筆記
This sense refers to the partner dance, not to the swing music it is danced to. The jive remains a standard dance in international ballroom competitions, though it is less common in casual social dancing today.
常見錯誤
2. talk or statements that are silly, meaningless, or intended to deceive someone —
talk or statements that are silly, meaningless, or intended to deceive someone — often used when rejecting an excuse or an unlikely claim.
Bilal said his invention would earn a million dollars, but I knew it was jive.
informal pattern: 'it's (all) jive'
The used-car salesman's smooth talk sounded like nothing but jive to experienced buyers.
Zuri recognized his excuses as pure jive and demanded a proper explanation.
Some politicians rely on smooth jive instead of giving voters direct, honest answers.
Don't give me that jive about your alarm — just get here on time.
- truth
opposite of deceptive or meaningless talk
文法句型
it's (all) jive
that's jive
jive talk
用法筆記
This sense is informal, dated slang from mid-20th-century American English. It appears most often in dismissive phrases such as 'That's jive!' or 'Don't give me that jive.' Today, younger speakers more commonly use 'nonsense,' 'bull,' or 'BS' (vulgar) in its place.
常見錯誤
jive — verb
1. to dance the jive — moving energetically with a partner to fast swing music, typ
to dance the jive — moving energetically with a partner to fast swing music, typically using quick steps, turns, and kicks.
Felipe and Henrik jived across the floor while the swing band played a fast number.
pattern: 'jive across [surface]'
Élise has been taking weekly lessons so she can jive at her cousin's wedding reception.
pattern: 'jive at [event]'
Paul jived with his grandmother, who had taught him the classic steps years ago.
The whole crowd was jiving wildly when the band played their final swing song.
Lakan's parents first met while jiving at a 1950s-themed party at their university.
- swing dance
broader term; can refer to lindy hop, jitterbug, balboa, etc., not limited to the specific jive style
- jitterbug
more informal and less structured than ballroom jive
文法句型
jive to [music]
jive with [person]
jive across [surface]
用法筆記
This verb is used almost exclusively for partner dancing to swing music, not for dancing alone or to other genres. It is most common in past-tense narratives ('they jived all night') and continuous forms ('they were jiving').
常見錯誤
2. to deliberately say things that are not true to someone, typically by giving the
to deliberately say things that are not true to someone, typically by giving them false excuses or making exaggerated claims in order to deceive them.
Don't jive me with your excuses — I know you simply forgot to make the booking.
imperative: 'don't jive me' — common pattern
The door-to-door salesman tried to jive the elderly couple about the quality of the mattresses.
Sahil accused his brother of jiving him about the value of some old baseball cards.
Stop jiving the customers and tell them the actual cost of the repair work.
The intern felt embarrassed when she realized her coworker was jiving her about the deadline.
- tell the truth
opposite action
文法句型
jive [someone]
jive [someone] about [something]
jive [someone] with [something]
用法筆記
This verb is highly dated slang from mid-20th-century American English. It appears most often in negative imperatives ('Don't jive me') or in reported speech about deception. In modern usage, 'trick,' 'fool,' or 'con' are far more common.
常見錯誤
jive — adjective
1. not genuine or real — used to describe claims, excuses, or appearances that are
not genuine or real — used to describe claims, excuses, or appearances that are false or intended to trick people.
That whole story about meeting a famous actor at the airport sounds completely jive.
pattern: 'sounds jive'
The manager warned the team not to give customers any jive excuses for late deliveries.
attributive use: 'jive excuses'
The collector knew the signature was jive the moment he saw the shaky handwriting.
Her jive promises about finishing the entire project in one week fooled absolutely no one.
The dealer's claims about the vase were jive — it was only a cheap copy.
文法句型
sounds jive
is jive
jive [noun] (attributive)
用法筆記
This adjective is very dated slang from 1940s–60s American counterculture. It is used almost exclusively to describe statements, promises, excuses, or appearances — rarely for physical objects as things ('the watch is jive' would sound odd). Today, 'fake' or 'phony' are the natural choices.