jackpot
n. · v.-
1 gambling prize (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea large prize of money that grows over time until someone wins it.
a cumulative prize pool in a game of chance, such as a lottery or slot machine, that increases until won.
ExampleThe lottery jackpot reached fifty million dollars after nobody won for three weeks.
ExampleThe casino floor erupted in cheers when the progressive jackpot finally triggered on one of the older machines.
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2 sudden success (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea sudden and unexpected piece of great luck or success.
an unexpected windfall or a significant achievement resulting from luck or effort.
ExampleHe hit the jackpot when he found a rare book worth thousands at a garage sale.
ExampleThe startup hit the jackpot when a major tech firm offered to buy their software for ten times its estimated value.
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3 to dispense money (v.) C2 Proficiency Technical Slang Computingwhen a machine suddenly gives out a lot of money.
to dispense a large quantity of cash or points, often used in the context of a machine malfunctioning or being exploited.
ExampleThe broken machine started to jackpot, throwing coins all over the floor.
ExampleSecurity experts warned banks about a new type of malware designed to make ATMs jackpot without a valid card.
UsageOften used in the context of 'ATM jackpotting' in cybersecurity.
Attested as jack-pot (“big prize”), 1944; from sense "slot machine" (1932), from obsolete poker sense (1881) "antes that begin when no player has a pair of jacks or better"; from jack (“playing card”) + pot.
Unknown. Criminal slang usage as "trouble, especially an arrest" attested 1902.