ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jump on

idiom
Meaning

To attack verbally, to criticise excessively.


Examples
SIMPLE

Do not jump on me just for making a small mistake.

CONTEXTUAL

When the manager made a minor error in his presentation, his colleagues immediately jumped on him for his lack of preparation.

COMPLEX

Rather than offering constructive feedback, the critics jumped on the author for his controversial word choices, ignoring the deeper themes of his novel.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    go jump in the lake

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  2. 02

    go jump off a building

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  3. 03

    go jump off a cliff

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  4. 04

    jump at

    To accept something enthusiastically. Usually an opportunity, or chance, or job etc.

  5. 05

    jump at the chance

    To immediately accept an offer; to seize an opportunity.

  6. 06

    jump at the opportunity

    To immediately seize a particular opportunity.

  7. 07

    jump before one is pushed

    to perform an action before being forced to do so.

  8. 08

    jump down someone's throat

    To criticise with excessive and unexpected harshness.

Last updated April 17, 2026