jig

/dʒɪɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒɪɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjig/ (ame, mw)

jig — noun

  • jigsingular
  • jigsplural

1. a fast, bouncy folk dance from Ireland or Britain with lots of small jumps and k

1.名詞C1
釋義

a fast, bouncy folk dance from Ireland or Britain with lots of small jumps and kicks, or the lively fiddle music written for it.

例句

Hana learned an Irish jig from her grandfather one summer in Galway.

collocation: learn/dance a jig

The wedding band played a fast jig and everyone got up to dance.

common verb collocation: play a jig

同義詞
  • reel

    another fast Irish/Scottish dance, but in 4/4 time rather than the jig's bouncy triple time

  • hornpipe

    a related lively folk dance, often linked with sailors

文法句型

a/the + jig

dance + a jig

用法筆記

Most often used about Irish or Scottish folk music; the dance and the music share the same name.

常見錯誤

She played a jig on the piano with slow chords.
She played a jig on the fiddle at full speed.
💡a jig is fast and lively, not slow.

2. a wooden or metal frame that grips a piece of wood or metal so it cannot move wh

2.名詞C2
釋義

a wooden or metal frame that grips a piece of wood or metal so it cannot move while you cut, drill, or shape it; the frame also guides the tool to the correct spot.

例句

Esteban built a simple wooden jig so every drawer would have evenly spaced holes.

context: woodworking workshop use

The carpenter clamped the chair leg into a jig before sanding it down.

collocation: clamp/secure into a jig

同義詞
  • fixture

    a more general term for any device that secures a workpiece; a jig also guides the tool

  • template

    a flat pattern you trace around; a jig is three-dimensional and holds the material

文法句型

use + a jig

make + a jig

用法筆記

Common in workshops, factories, and DIY contexts; describes a holding fixture, not the tool that does the cutting itself.

常見錯誤

He drilled the hole with a jig.
He drilled the hole using a drill held by a jig.
💡the jig holds the wood and guides the drill; it does not do the cutting.

3. a heavy fishing lure with a hook and a colourful tail; when you pull the rod up

3.名詞C2
釋義

a heavy fishing lure with a hook and a colourful tail; when you pull the rod up and down, the lure jumps in the water like a small fish and tempts bigger fish to bite.

例句

Eitan picked a bright pink jig out of his tackle box and tied it to the line.

context: tackle box selection

The guide showed Nora how to bounce a jig along the bottom of the lake.

collocation: bounce a jig

同義詞
  • lure

    general word for any artificial bait; a jig is one specific weighted type

  • spinner

    another artificial bait, but it rotates as it moves rather than jumping vertically

文法句型

use + a jig

cast + a jig

用法筆記

Fishing-specific term; distinguished from other lures by its weighted head and the up-and-down motion the angler creates.

常見錯誤

She baited the jig with a worm and waited.
She cast the jig and worked it up and down to attract the fish.
💡a jig is meant to be moved actively, not left still.

jig — verb