English Reference

Phrasal verb

jack in

Definition

phrasal verb. to stop doing something like a job or a project because you are bored or unhappy with it. You use this when you decide to quit something suddenly.

phrasal verb. To cease an activity, employment, or commitment, typically due to frustration or lack of interest. The verb is transitive and informal in register.

Examples

“I decided to jack in my job and travel the world.”

“After three months of failing to learn the piano, he decided to jack it in and try the guitar instead.”

“Despite the lucrative salary, the constant pressure of the corporate environment eventually forced him to jack in his career in finance.”

Examples

simple

“I decided to jack in my job and travel the world.”

contextual

“After three months of failing to learn the piano, he decided to jack it in and try the guitar instead.”

complex

“Despite the lucrative salary, the constant pressure of the corporate environment eventually forced him to jack in his career in finance.”

Usage

Often used with 'it' as a dummy object when the activity being stopped is already understood.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'quit' or 'give up'; 'jack in' is specifically British and implies the speaker is fed up with the situation.

Pitfall

I jacked in of my job.

I jacked in my job.

the verb is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'of'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

in

Separability

optional

Pattern

jack + in + object

Synonyms

quitgive upabandonstop

Antonyms

continuepersistcarry on

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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