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to jam

to jam

13 4.4
Get stuck and stop moving or working
  • verb
  • /dʒæm/
translation icon : atascarse
  • The ballot scanner at Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach was jamming at 7:30 a.m.
  • the machine jammed
  • the gun jammed
  • the door jammed

And so if it jams when you need it not to jam, that's that's your fault, right?

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Examples

Synonyms

to get stuck
vsto jam
180 2.2

To be unable to move or continue because something blocks you

applies specifically to mechanisms that seize and stop functioning, not only physical trapping
to clog
vsto jam
21 3.2

To block a pipe or passage so flow stops

focuses on a device failing to move rather than stopping flow generally
to clog up
vsto jam
9 3.7

To block a drain or road so things cannot move through it

describes a device failing to move or function because it seizes
to jam up
vsto jam
  • Informal
8 4.7

Become blocked so things cannot move or work

is used when a device or mechanism itself seizes and stops working
to gum up
vsto jam
  • Informal
6 7.2

To make moving parts stuck with dirt or glue so they stop working

is mainly intransitive meaning the mechanism itself seizes rather than being caused

Antonyms

441 2.6

To work in a particular role or job

1 4.2

To free something that is stuck so it can move or work again

Idioms

in a jam
  • Informal
14 6.7

In trouble and needing help to fix a problem

money for jam
  • Archaic
8.3

Easy extra pay for very little work

To make someone feel disappointed or upset

Phrasal Verbs

to jam up
  • Informal
8 4.7

Become blocked so things cannot move or work

to blanket jam
  • Specialized
9.9

To block a wide range of radio frequencies at once so radios in an area cannot work

to barrage jam
  • Specialized
9.9

To block many radio channels so signals cannot be sent or received

to point jam
  • Specialized
9.9

To block a narrow radio channel to stop communications

to spot jam
  • Specialized
9.1

To intentionally block a single radio or radar frequency using electronic signals

Compounds

35 1.0

Many cars are stuck and move very slowly on a road

jam session
  • Informal
9 3.9

A meeting of musicians who make up music and play together without planning

A sweet spread people make from strawberries and sugar to put on bread or pastries

A sweet spread you make by cooking medlar fruit with sugar

jam box
  • Informal
7.8

A small loud speaker you carry to play music outdoors

jam tomorrow
  • Informal
9.9

A promise of good things in the future that never comes

How Stuck

to jam
13 4.4
to stick
752 3.4

Surface Forms

jam infinitive
jammed past
jammed past participle
jamming present participle
jams third person singular

Etymology

Jam for a machine getting stuck comes from parts being pressed or caught so they cannot move, like being 'blocked' by other pieces. Think of paper 'jammed' in a printer — the parts are stuck and the machine cannot work.