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to jump on

to jump on

13 1.8
To get quickly onto the back of something like a horse or bike
  • phrasal verb
  • /dʒʌmp ɑn/
translation icon : subirse a
  • So I jumped on top of the bus.
  • jumped on his back
  • jumped on a horse
  • jumped on the bed

That dog will jump on that and RIP him and stop him.

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Examples

  • Our uncles lie on the floor and let us jump on them.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Narrator 1: Edward jumps on the horse and rides off.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • You would jump on top of me as soon as you got here.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We jump on the horses and ride away.

  • We're gonna jump on that spaceship and get out of here.

  • Oscar came into my room, curious and wanting breakfast, and jumped on the bed.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Chum jumps on his horse and rides off anyway.

  • Then we'd go out and jump on the trampoline.

  • A few sparrows were jumping on the ground, catching caterpillars and ladybugs.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • They quickly jumped on the bus as it started to leave the station.

Synonyms

to leap
vsto jump on
199 1.0

To jump quickly from one place to another or make something jump

is about sudden movement onto backs rather than broad forceful springing
to hop on
vsto jump on
  • Informal
53 2.7

To get onto something like a horse, bike, or bus quickly and lightly

is more sudden and forceful rather than light and casual
to mount
vsto jump on
49 3.0

To get on an animal or bike to ride

is quicker and more sudden rather than planned for riding
to get on
vsto jump on
37 1.0

Climb onto a horse or bike

is quicker and more sudden rather than calm or ordinary
to climb on
vsto jump on
19 2.0

To get up onto the back or top of something, especially an animal

is quicker and often sudden rather than steady or deliberate
to mount up
vsto jump on
7 4.0

To get onto the back of an animal like a horse to ride it

is quicker and more sudden rather than formal riding preparation
to hop up on
vsto jump on
4 5.2

Jump onto a surface like a table or bed

is used for sudden movement onto backs rather than onto flat surfaces
to bestride
vsto jump on
1 8.8

To sit or stand with a leg on each side of something like a horse

is quicker and sudden rather than a measured straddling action

Antonyms

170 2.5

To leave a vehicle or animal by stepping down

How Quickly

to jump on
13 1.8
to get on
37 1.0
to climb on
19 2.0
to clamber
19 5.6

Surface Forms

jump on infinitive

Morphology

jump + on

The literal meanings of 'jump' (leap) + 'on' (onto) give a clear physical image of leaping onto something, so the figurative sense of quickly seizing or responding to an opportunity is a predictable metaphorical extension but not strictly compositional. A B1 learner who knows both words might guess a sense related to acting quickly, but the specific pragmatic meaning 'take advantage of' or 'pounce on' requires some exposure, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Jump on comes from a clear image: someone jumping up and landing on the back of a horse, bike, or other animal. The parts jump and on show the action and the place, so it means 'to get up onto the back of something', usually quickly.