jig

n. a fast, lively traditional dance or the music played for it, often associated with Ireland.

n. a lively traditional dance or tune, typically in compound time such as 6/8 or 9/8, characteristic of Irish folk music.

“The band played a fast jig and everyone started dancing.”

“The fiddler transitioned seamlessly from a slow air into a spirited double jig, prompting the wedding guests to fill the dance floor.”

n. a tool or device that holds a piece of work in place and guides another tool to cut or shape it.

n. a device used in manufacturing or woodworking to maintain the correct position of a workpiece and guide the operating tool.

“He used a wooden jig to make sure every hole was drilled in the same spot.”

“The carpenter constructed a custom jig to ensure that the dovetail joints were cut with absolute precision across all twelve drawers.”

Technical

v. to move up and down or back and forth with quick, jerky movements.

v. to move with a rapid, jerky, or vibrating motion; to dance in a lively manner.

“The small boat started to jig up and down on the rough waves.”

“The needle on the old gauge began to jig erratically, suggesting that the pressure in the boiler was reaching a critical level.”

n. used in the phrase 'the jig is up' to mean that a secret plan or trick has been discovered.

n. an idiomatic use referring to a scheme, trick, or deceptive game that has been exposed.

“The thief realized the jig was up when he saw the police waiting at his house.”

“Once the internal audit revealed the missing funds, the accountant knew the jig was up and prepared to confess.”

Informal