Why does the idiom “Jig is up” mean “discovered in the act of dishonesty”?
I was reading a manga on Mangarock in English when I saw this idiom, can you confer with me on why the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" is "discovered in the act of dishonesty"?
idioms
New contributor
add a comment |
I was reading a manga on Mangarock in English when I saw this idiom, can you confer with me on why the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" is "discovered in the act of dishonesty"?
idioms
New contributor
@QuangPham, just so you know, this is an old expression no longer used in US English on a common basis. It is used only in black and white movies.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
@Karlomanio it's still used in England from time to time it's not commonplace in most of England but some regions do still use it particularly when parents catch children in a lie :D
– Martin Barker
4 hours ago
Thanks @MartinBarker. I will remember that.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
1
Evidence from Google Books suggest that the expression is still used books.google.com/ngrams/…
– user240918
4 hours ago
1
@user240918 - That graph might be a little misleading. I searched through the results, and many of the hits seemed to be either a fishing-lure pun in a publication such as Field and Stream, references to a ballet by the same name, or dictionary entries. (I'm not arguing the expression is out-of-use; I just don't think it's trending upward as that ngram might imply.)
– J.R.
43 mins ago
add a comment |
I was reading a manga on Mangarock in English when I saw this idiom, can you confer with me on why the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" is "discovered in the act of dishonesty"?
idioms
New contributor
I was reading a manga on Mangarock in English when I saw this idiom, can you confer with me on why the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" is "discovered in the act of dishonesty"?
idioms
idioms
New contributor
New contributor
edited 55 mins ago
J.R.
55k582183
55k582183
New contributor
asked 10 hours ago
Quang PhạmQuang Phạm
784
784
New contributor
New contributor
@QuangPham, just so you know, this is an old expression no longer used in US English on a common basis. It is used only in black and white movies.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
@Karlomanio it's still used in England from time to time it's not commonplace in most of England but some regions do still use it particularly when parents catch children in a lie :D
– Martin Barker
4 hours ago
Thanks @MartinBarker. I will remember that.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
1
Evidence from Google Books suggest that the expression is still used books.google.com/ngrams/…
– user240918
4 hours ago
1
@user240918 - That graph might be a little misleading. I searched through the results, and many of the hits seemed to be either a fishing-lure pun in a publication such as Field and Stream, references to a ballet by the same name, or dictionary entries. (I'm not arguing the expression is out-of-use; I just don't think it's trending upward as that ngram might imply.)
– J.R.
43 mins ago
add a comment |
@QuangPham, just so you know, this is an old expression no longer used in US English on a common basis. It is used only in black and white movies.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
@Karlomanio it's still used in England from time to time it's not commonplace in most of England but some regions do still use it particularly when parents catch children in a lie :D
– Martin Barker
4 hours ago
Thanks @MartinBarker. I will remember that.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
1
Evidence from Google Books suggest that the expression is still used books.google.com/ngrams/…
– user240918
4 hours ago
1
@user240918 - That graph might be a little misleading. I searched through the results, and many of the hits seemed to be either a fishing-lure pun in a publication such as Field and Stream, references to a ballet by the same name, or dictionary entries. (I'm not arguing the expression is out-of-use; I just don't think it's trending upward as that ngram might imply.)
– J.R.
43 mins ago
@QuangPham, just so you know, this is an old expression no longer used in US English on a common basis. It is used only in black and white movies.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
@QuangPham, just so you know, this is an old expression no longer used in US English on a common basis. It is used only in black and white movies.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
@Karlomanio it's still used in England from time to time it's not commonplace in most of England but some regions do still use it particularly when parents catch children in a lie :D
– Martin Barker
4 hours ago
@Karlomanio it's still used in England from time to time it's not commonplace in most of England but some regions do still use it particularly when parents catch children in a lie :D
– Martin Barker
4 hours ago
Thanks @MartinBarker. I will remember that.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
Thanks @MartinBarker. I will remember that.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
1
1
Evidence from Google Books suggest that the expression is still used books.google.com/ngrams/…
– user240918
4 hours ago
Evidence from Google Books suggest that the expression is still used books.google.com/ngrams/…
– user240918
4 hours ago
1
1
@user240918 - That graph might be a little misleading. I searched through the results, and many of the hits seemed to be either a fishing-lure pun in a publication such as Field and Stream, references to a ballet by the same name, or dictionary entries. (I'm not arguing the expression is out-of-use; I just don't think it's trending upward as that ngram might imply.)
– J.R.
43 mins ago
@user240918 - That graph might be a little misleading. I searched through the results, and many of the hits seemed to be either a fishing-lure pun in a publication such as Field and Stream, references to a ballet by the same name, or dictionary entries. (I'm not arguing the expression is out-of-use; I just don't think it's trending upward as that ngram might imply.)
– J.R.
43 mins ago
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
'X is up' is an idiom meaning 'X is finished'
'the jig is up' is also an idiom
Definition of the jig is up
US, informal + old-fashioned
—used to say that a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and
will not be allowed to continue
The jig is up: where did you hide the stolen goods?
(M-W)
Etymology
Jig is an old term for a lively dance, and in the Elizabethan era the word also became slang for a practical joke or a trick. This
idiom derives from this obsolete slang word.
(Wiktionary)
1
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
1
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
8
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
add a comment |
From Green’s Dictionary of Slang:
Jig:
- late 16C SE, a comical performance, usu. given in the interval or at the conclusion of a play.
Jig is up/over:
(also jigg) a trick, a swindle; thus as verb, to trick; jigger noun, a swindler; thus the jig is up/over, the game is up:
1611 - J. Cook Greenes Tu Quoque Scene xvi: Why but what Jigge is this?
1777 - Maryland Journal 17 June n.p.: Mr. John Miller came in and said, ‘The jig is over with us.’.
add a comment |
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig:
JIG
noun
1a: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
1b: music to which a jig may be danced
2: TRICK, GAME —used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
The definition follows the entry from Etymologyonline:
The name of the dance was the first meaning of the word.
From 1580s JIG is used as the music for such a dance.
The extended sense "piece of sport, trick" (1590s), survives mainly in the phrase the jig is up (first attested 1777 as the jig is over).
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up:
UP
at an end
// your time is up
So, the original meaning of the idiom is 'the trick or the game has finished; everything's clear'.
As TRICK usually some negative connotation
(according to MWD: ''a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud''
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick),
hence the modern meaning.
add a comment |
In my opinion, "jig" here is used with the meaning "bait". The meaning derives from the literal meaning "leaping up and down movements". As you can imagine, we do divert attention from the fish by jiggling the bait up and down. And if we see "jig" here as bait, then "jig is up" means "the bait is up". If we see bait as something that motivates one to do unacceptable things, like fish wanting to catch the bait so badly, when you pull the "bait" up by turning the reel, the perpetrator is also revealed to all. And like a fish, the perpetrator will be "eaten", by which i mean punished or condemned. So that's why i deduced, based on logic, that "jig is up" means "discovered in the act of dishonesty". And one more thing, the reason for the "dishonesty" part is because the fish is chasing the bait when it's discovered, referring to an unacceptable goal.
New contributor
5
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
3
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
1
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
2
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
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active
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votes
'X is up' is an idiom meaning 'X is finished'
'the jig is up' is also an idiom
Definition of the jig is up
US, informal + old-fashioned
—used to say that a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and
will not be allowed to continue
The jig is up: where did you hide the stolen goods?
(M-W)
Etymology
Jig is an old term for a lively dance, and in the Elizabethan era the word also became slang for a practical joke or a trick. This
idiom derives from this obsolete slang word.
(Wiktionary)
1
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
1
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
8
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
add a comment |
'X is up' is an idiom meaning 'X is finished'
'the jig is up' is also an idiom
Definition of the jig is up
US, informal + old-fashioned
—used to say that a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and
will not be allowed to continue
The jig is up: where did you hide the stolen goods?
(M-W)
Etymology
Jig is an old term for a lively dance, and in the Elizabethan era the word also became slang for a practical joke or a trick. This
idiom derives from this obsolete slang word.
(Wiktionary)
1
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
1
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
8
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
add a comment |
'X is up' is an idiom meaning 'X is finished'
'the jig is up' is also an idiom
Definition of the jig is up
US, informal + old-fashioned
—used to say that a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and
will not be allowed to continue
The jig is up: where did you hide the stolen goods?
(M-W)
Etymology
Jig is an old term for a lively dance, and in the Elizabethan era the word also became slang for a practical joke or a trick. This
idiom derives from this obsolete slang word.
(Wiktionary)
'X is up' is an idiom meaning 'X is finished'
'the jig is up' is also an idiom
Definition of the jig is up
US, informal + old-fashioned
—used to say that a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and
will not be allowed to continue
The jig is up: where did you hide the stolen goods?
(M-W)
Etymology
Jig is an old term for a lively dance, and in the Elizabethan era the word also became slang for a practical joke or a trick. This
idiom derives from this obsolete slang word.
(Wiktionary)
edited 5 hours ago
Gio
10322
10322
answered 10 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
23.2k13071
23.2k13071
1
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
1
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
8
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
1
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
8
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
1
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
"Jig" is also a sort of fishhook thingie, and being "up" means the success/failure of the fishing attempt has been revealed.
– Hot Licks
7 hours ago
1
1
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
@Hot Licks - An old expression has indeed humorously been adopted by the fishing community in recent years but how does this relate to the actual question?
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
It is a plausible alternative origin of the expression.
– Hot Licks
6 hours ago
8
8
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
@Hot Licks - (1) The OP didn't ask for the origin (2) How does success/failure relate to "discovered in the act of dishonesty"? (3) If you research it and can convince me that the modern fishing expression pre-dated a slang expression from the era of Queen Elizabeth I then I'll be happy to believe you.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
add a comment |
From Green’s Dictionary of Slang:
Jig:
- late 16C SE, a comical performance, usu. given in the interval or at the conclusion of a play.
Jig is up/over:
(also jigg) a trick, a swindle; thus as verb, to trick; jigger noun, a swindler; thus the jig is up/over, the game is up:
1611 - J. Cook Greenes Tu Quoque Scene xvi: Why but what Jigge is this?
1777 - Maryland Journal 17 June n.p.: Mr. John Miller came in and said, ‘The jig is over with us.’.
add a comment |
From Green’s Dictionary of Slang:
Jig:
- late 16C SE, a comical performance, usu. given in the interval or at the conclusion of a play.
Jig is up/over:
(also jigg) a trick, a swindle; thus as verb, to trick; jigger noun, a swindler; thus the jig is up/over, the game is up:
1611 - J. Cook Greenes Tu Quoque Scene xvi: Why but what Jigge is this?
1777 - Maryland Journal 17 June n.p.: Mr. John Miller came in and said, ‘The jig is over with us.’.
add a comment |
From Green’s Dictionary of Slang:
Jig:
- late 16C SE, a comical performance, usu. given in the interval or at the conclusion of a play.
Jig is up/over:
(also jigg) a trick, a swindle; thus as verb, to trick; jigger noun, a swindler; thus the jig is up/over, the game is up:
1611 - J. Cook Greenes Tu Quoque Scene xvi: Why but what Jigge is this?
1777 - Maryland Journal 17 June n.p.: Mr. John Miller came in and said, ‘The jig is over with us.’.
From Green’s Dictionary of Slang:
Jig:
- late 16C SE, a comical performance, usu. given in the interval or at the conclusion of a play.
Jig is up/over:
(also jigg) a trick, a swindle; thus as verb, to trick; jigger noun, a swindler; thus the jig is up/over, the game is up:
1611 - J. Cook Greenes Tu Quoque Scene xvi: Why but what Jigge is this?
1777 - Maryland Journal 17 June n.p.: Mr. John Miller came in and said, ‘The jig is over with us.’.
edited 7 hours ago
answered 7 hours ago
user240918user240918
25.4k1070149
25.4k1070149
add a comment |
add a comment |
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig:
JIG
noun
1a: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
1b: music to which a jig may be danced
2: TRICK, GAME —used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
The definition follows the entry from Etymologyonline:
The name of the dance was the first meaning of the word.
From 1580s JIG is used as the music for such a dance.
The extended sense "piece of sport, trick" (1590s), survives mainly in the phrase the jig is up (first attested 1777 as the jig is over).
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up:
UP
at an end
// your time is up
So, the original meaning of the idiom is 'the trick or the game has finished; everything's clear'.
As TRICK usually some negative connotation
(according to MWD: ''a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud''
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick),
hence the modern meaning.
add a comment |
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig:
JIG
noun
1a: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
1b: music to which a jig may be danced
2: TRICK, GAME —used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
The definition follows the entry from Etymologyonline:
The name of the dance was the first meaning of the word.
From 1580s JIG is used as the music for such a dance.
The extended sense "piece of sport, trick" (1590s), survives mainly in the phrase the jig is up (first attested 1777 as the jig is over).
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up:
UP
at an end
// your time is up
So, the original meaning of the idiom is 'the trick or the game has finished; everything's clear'.
As TRICK usually some negative connotation
(according to MWD: ''a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud''
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick),
hence the modern meaning.
add a comment |
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig:
JIG
noun
1a: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
1b: music to which a jig may be danced
2: TRICK, GAME —used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
The definition follows the entry from Etymologyonline:
The name of the dance was the first meaning of the word.
From 1580s JIG is used as the music for such a dance.
The extended sense "piece of sport, trick" (1590s), survives mainly in the phrase the jig is up (first attested 1777 as the jig is over).
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up:
UP
at an end
// your time is up
So, the original meaning of the idiom is 'the trick or the game has finished; everything's clear'.
As TRICK usually some negative connotation
(according to MWD: ''a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud''
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick),
hence the modern meaning.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig:
JIG
noun
1a: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
1b: music to which a jig may be danced
2: TRICK, GAME —used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
The definition follows the entry from Etymologyonline:
The name of the dance was the first meaning of the word.
From 1580s JIG is used as the music for such a dance.
The extended sense "piece of sport, trick" (1590s), survives mainly in the phrase the jig is up (first attested 1777 as the jig is over).
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up:
UP
at an end
// your time is up
So, the original meaning of the idiom is 'the trick or the game has finished; everything's clear'.
As TRICK usually some negative connotation
(according to MWD: ''a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud''
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick),
hence the modern meaning.
edited 9 hours ago
answered 10 hours ago
user307254user307254
2,765515
2,765515
add a comment |
add a comment |
In my opinion, "jig" here is used with the meaning "bait". The meaning derives from the literal meaning "leaping up and down movements". As you can imagine, we do divert attention from the fish by jiggling the bait up and down. And if we see "jig" here as bait, then "jig is up" means "the bait is up". If we see bait as something that motivates one to do unacceptable things, like fish wanting to catch the bait so badly, when you pull the "bait" up by turning the reel, the perpetrator is also revealed to all. And like a fish, the perpetrator will be "eaten", by which i mean punished or condemned. So that's why i deduced, based on logic, that "jig is up" means "discovered in the act of dishonesty". And one more thing, the reason for the "dishonesty" part is because the fish is chasing the bait when it's discovered, referring to an unacceptable goal.
New contributor
5
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
3
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
1
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
2
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
In my opinion, "jig" here is used with the meaning "bait". The meaning derives from the literal meaning "leaping up and down movements". As you can imagine, we do divert attention from the fish by jiggling the bait up and down. And if we see "jig" here as bait, then "jig is up" means "the bait is up". If we see bait as something that motivates one to do unacceptable things, like fish wanting to catch the bait so badly, when you pull the "bait" up by turning the reel, the perpetrator is also revealed to all. And like a fish, the perpetrator will be "eaten", by which i mean punished or condemned. So that's why i deduced, based on logic, that "jig is up" means "discovered in the act of dishonesty". And one more thing, the reason for the "dishonesty" part is because the fish is chasing the bait when it's discovered, referring to an unacceptable goal.
New contributor
5
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
3
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
1
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
2
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
In my opinion, "jig" here is used with the meaning "bait". The meaning derives from the literal meaning "leaping up and down movements". As you can imagine, we do divert attention from the fish by jiggling the bait up and down. And if we see "jig" here as bait, then "jig is up" means "the bait is up". If we see bait as something that motivates one to do unacceptable things, like fish wanting to catch the bait so badly, when you pull the "bait" up by turning the reel, the perpetrator is also revealed to all. And like a fish, the perpetrator will be "eaten", by which i mean punished or condemned. So that's why i deduced, based on logic, that "jig is up" means "discovered in the act of dishonesty". And one more thing, the reason for the "dishonesty" part is because the fish is chasing the bait when it's discovered, referring to an unacceptable goal.
New contributor
In my opinion, "jig" here is used with the meaning "bait". The meaning derives from the literal meaning "leaping up and down movements". As you can imagine, we do divert attention from the fish by jiggling the bait up and down. And if we see "jig" here as bait, then "jig is up" means "the bait is up". If we see bait as something that motivates one to do unacceptable things, like fish wanting to catch the bait so badly, when you pull the "bait" up by turning the reel, the perpetrator is also revealed to all. And like a fish, the perpetrator will be "eaten", by which i mean punished or condemned. So that's why i deduced, based on logic, that "jig is up" means "discovered in the act of dishonesty". And one more thing, the reason for the "dishonesty" part is because the fish is chasing the bait when it's discovered, referring to an unacceptable goal.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 10 hours ago
Quang PhạmQuang Phạm
784
784
New contributor
New contributor
5
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
3
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
1
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
2
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
5
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
3
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
1
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
2
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
5
5
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
Hello and welcome to StackExchange - When answering please don't guess about meanings. If you give an answer please show what research you have done to arrive at your conclusion.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
3
3
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
@chaslyfromUK this is the OP. This would be a very good addition in the question, Quang Pham, please edit(share) your post and include your logical explanation there. It's quite good, tell the truth but it is unsupported. But you have guessed its meaning. Well done!
– Mari-Lou A
10 hours ago
1
1
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
@Mari-Lou - I don't understand what you are saying. The OP says, "why [is] the meaning of this idiom "jig is up" [...] "discovered in the act of dishonesty?". Quang Pham has not guessed the meaning - it was explicitly stated in the OP. The incorrect guess that I am complaining about is the completely made-up story about fishing. Please can you explain further what you mean? Thanks.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
2
2
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
@ Mari-Lou A - The correct sense is there because it was stated in the question not through any cleverness on the part of this answerer. The actual question was, "Why are these phrases equivalent?" I think you are misleading people by suggesting there is anything correct about this answer.
– chasly from UK
10 hours ago
1
1
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
@chaslyfromUK if you think I upvoted it, you're mistaken. If you think my comment can sway people's opinions, again, you're mistaken. If you think I was wrong to give a few words of encouragement to a non-native speaker, you're perfectly within your rights.
– Mari-Lou A
9 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
Quang Phạm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Quang Phạm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Quang Phạm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Quang Phạm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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@QuangPham, just so you know, this is an old expression no longer used in US English on a common basis. It is used only in black and white movies.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
@Karlomanio it's still used in England from time to time it's not commonplace in most of England but some regions do still use it particularly when parents catch children in a lie :D
– Martin Barker
4 hours ago
Thanks @MartinBarker. I will remember that.
– Karlomanio
4 hours ago
1
Evidence from Google Books suggest that the expression is still used books.google.com/ngrams/…
– user240918
4 hours ago
1
@user240918 - That graph might be a little misleading. I searched through the results, and many of the hits seemed to be either a fishing-lure pun in a publication such as Field and Stream, references to a ballet by the same name, or dictionary entries. (I'm not arguing the expression is out-of-use; I just don't think it's trending upward as that ngram might imply.)
– J.R.
43 mins ago