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⛵ A front sail ⛵ To shift (sail) 🙅 To refuse
to jib

to jib

1 9.6
To stop suddenly and refuse to do something because you feel unwilling
  • verb
  • /dʒɪb/
: negarse
  • He always jibs when asked to go skydiving.

Examples

  • She jibbed at the idea of working late on a Friday night.

  • lf you jib now, we'll have people in the water.

    White Squall (1996)

  • The horse jibbed at the jump, refusing to go over it.

Synonyms

to resist
vsto jib
350 2.2

Act against authority, rules or change

is a sudden hesitation or refusal from reluctance or objection rather than active opposition
to balk
vsto jib
  • US
38 7.4

To hesitate or refuse to do something

is sudden hesitation or refusal from reluctance or objection rather than firm refusal
to waver in
vsto jib
5 6.6

To feel unsure about making a decision or taking action

is sudden refusal or hesitation from reluctance or objection rather than simple uncertainty

Antonyms

to agree
∞ 1.0

Have the same opinion or say yes

Idioms

cut of one's jib
  • Archaic
9.9

The way someone looks or acts that shows what they are like

Compounds

flying jib
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A small outer sail on the long pole at the front of a ship that catches wind

inner jib
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A sail near the front of a large sailing ship that sits between two other front sails

outer jib
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A triangular sail near the front of a large sailing ship, set just behind the sail that is furthest forward

How Reluctant

to refuse
∞ 1.7
to jib
1 9.6
to hesitate
301 2.5
to pause
336 1.0

Surface Forms

jib infinitive
jibbed past
jibbed past participle
jibbing present participle
jibs third person singular

Etymology

Jib (verb, to refuse or hesitate) likely comes from the image of something that suddenly 'stops' or pulls back, like a horse that will not move. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine someone 'stopping short', so to jib is to hesitate or refuse to go on.