# jump before one is pushed

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/jump-before-one-is-pushed
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to perform an action before being forced to do so.

## Examples

- He decided to jump before he was pushed and quit his job.
- Knowing the company was planning to fire him, he chose to jump before he was pushed and resigned today.
- Rather than waiting for the board to demand his resignation, the executive chose to jump before he was pushed to preserve his professional reputation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.