Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to jump headlong

to jump headlong

1 7.3
To start something quickly without thinking about the risks
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : lanzarse de cabeza
  • Mariah is excited to jump headlong into her new job, eager to take on the challenges ahead.

Examples

  • It is why Long, three years ago, jumped headlong into Jericho Road.

    Blog text (30)

  • I wish I could jump headlong into a bowl of cereal or dangle from a crane.

  • Perkins Coie is another large Seattle firm that has jumped headlong into TQM.

    Academic text (1993)

  • After hearing about the new project, they decided to jump headlong into the planning process without hesitation.

  • Faced with the unexpected opportunity, he chose to jump headlong into the venture, despite the risks involved.

Synonyms

to rush
vsto jump headlong
548 1.0

To move or act quickly because a situation needs it

emphasizes reckless beginning without thinking rather than only urgent speed
to jump
vsto jump headlong
  • Informal
366 1.8

To join an activity or take an opportunity quickly and eagerly

shows reckless impulsive starting without careful thought rather than eagerness
to leap
vsto jump headlong
199 1.0

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

is about starting actions quickly without careful thought rather than physical motion
to jump into
vsto jump headlong
38 3.0

Start taking part in something quickly and with enthusiasm

focuses on hasty, thoughtless undertaking rather than enthusiastic promptness
to rush in
vsto jump headlong
36 3.1

Act quickly without thinking, for example by going into a place

refers to starting actions broadly rather than physical entry
to dive in
vsto jump headlong
  • Informal
23 3.7

Start doing something quickly and with a lot of energy

means start impulsively without careful thought and often in a reckless way
to jump on
vsto jump headlong
23 4.3

To use an opportunity quickly

is about starting impulsively without thinking, not about opportunistic response
to fling
vsto jump headlong
16 4.1

To move yourself suddenly and forcefully, often without control

focuses on starting actions quickly rather than physical forceful movement
to take a leap
vsto jump headlong
11 5.7

Make a brave decision even when it feels risky

emphasizes reckless instantaneous beginning rather than considered bold decision
to leap into the unknown
vsto jump headlong
  • Informal
1 7.3

To do something risky without knowing what will happen

focuses on quick, thoughtless starting rather than deliberate risky planning
to jump on the offer
vsto jump headlong
3.5

To accept an offer or chance quickly before someone else does

entails reckless, unthinking beginning rather than quick acceptance of offers

Antonyms

cautiously
70 2.3

To do something in a careful way to avoid danger or mistakes

How Reckless

to jump headlong
1 7.3
to rush in
36 3.1
to dive in
  • Informal
23 3.7
to start
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

jump headlong infinitive
jumped headlong past
jumped headlong past participle
jumping headlong present participle
jumps headlong third person singular

Morphology

jump + headlong

The meaning is directly compositional: 'jump' (to move or enter quickly) combined with 'headlong' (rashly, without planning) yields the sense of beginning something impulsively. This verb + adverb pattern is transparent and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Jump headlong comes from the image of someone jumping headlong, or head-first, so they move forward before they think. That's why it means 'to begin something quickly and without careful thought'.