1 C1 neutral
To connect a device or signal line to a machine, network, or system.
"The technician jacked in the monitor and ran a quick test."
mixed
jack in
C1 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
To connect something to a system, or in British slang, to stop doing something.
In plain English
connect it in; or quit doing it
What does "jack in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To stop doing something; to quit or give up.
"He decided to jack in his office job and travel for a year."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To put a jack plug into something.
Actually means
connect it in; or quit doing it
Usage tip
Technical in electronics/computing; in British informal English, 'jack in' can mean give up or quit.
Words that pair with "jack in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
computer network system headphones job course
How to conjugate "jack in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
jack in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
jacks in
he/she/it
Past simple
jacked in
yesterday
Past participle
jacked in
have + pp
-ing form
jacking in
continuous
Hear "jack in" in the wild
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Other ways to say "jack in"
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Keep exploring
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