The thief ran when he realized the jig is up.
the jig is up
idiomUsed to express that a deception, trick, or dishonest scheme has been discovered, signaling the end of the ruse.
Origin
disputed originDerives from the obsolete Elizabethan-era slang use of the word jig, originally meaning a lively dance, which evolved to denote a practical joke or trick.
When the manager walked in and saw the fake reports, he told the team that the jig is up.
Once the investigators uncovered the hidden accounts and falsified signatures, the corrupt director knew the jig is up and began packing his office.
Last updated April 17, 2026