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jump off

A2 informal intransitive
In simple words

To leap away from something, or to begin something suddenly.

Literal meaning: To spring away from a surface — transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To leap from a surface, platform, or vehicle.

"She jumped off the diving board and entered the water perfectly."

2 B1 idiomatic informal

(Informal) To begin or launch into something with energy.

"The campaign jumped off strongly with thousands of sign-ups in the first week."

3 C1 idiomatic slang

(American slang) For a conflict or chaotic event to suddenly break out.

"Nobody saw the argument coming — things just jumped off out of nowhere."

Usage notes

The literal sense is very common and transparent. The figurative 'launch' sense is common in informal American English ('the project jumped off well'). Also used in American slang to mean a fight or confrontation broke out ('things jumped off at the party').

Commonly used with

bridge cliff stage trampoline project career shelf

Forms

Base
jump off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
jumps off
he/she/it
Past simple
jumped off
yesterday
Past participle
jumped off
have + pp
-ing form
jumping off
continuous

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