ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jive turkey

idiom
Meaning

A fool, a chump, a target for jiving.


Origin

Coined in the 1970s, originally African-American.

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't be a jive turkey — just tell me the truth.

CONTEXTUAL

My uncle called the salesman a jive turkey after he tried to sell him a broken car.

COMPLEX

The con artist sized up the crowd, looking for a jive turkey naive enough to fall for his elaborate scheme.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    cold turkey

    A sudden and complete withdrawal from a dependent substance, especially a drug.

  2. 02

    stuffed like a turkey

    Very full from overeating.

  3. 03

    talk turkey

    To talk or negotiate plainly, frankly, or seriously.

  4. 04

    turkey shoot

    A situation in which numerous weapons are discharged against prey, opponents, or victims who have little ability to protect or defend themselves.

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