the jig is up
Used to express that a deception, trick, or dishonest scheme has been discovered, signaling the end of the ruse.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The thief ran when he realized the jig is up.”
“You can stop lying now because the jig is up.”
“The jig is up for the hackers since the police found their location.”
“When the manager walked in and saw the fake reports, he told the team that the jig is up.”
“The children tried to hide the broken vase, but when their mother found the pieces under the rug, they knew the jig was up.”
“After the teacher noticed the identical answers on both tests, she looked at the students and calmly announced that the jig was up.”
“Once the investigators uncovered the hidden accounts and falsified signatures, the corrupt director knew the jig is up and began packing his office.”
The phrase derives from the Elizabethan-era slang application of the word jig. While the term originally denoted a lively dance, by the late 16th century it had evolved to signify a practical joke or a deceptive trick. The expression indicates that the deception has reached its conclusion.
Last updated August 10, 2026