ENGLISH
REFERENCE

zig

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈzɪɡ// UK //zˈɪɡ// zig

v. to move suddenly in one direction before quickly changing to another. You often use this word when describing a sharp turn or a sudden change in a plan.

v. to perform a sudden, sharp change in direction or strategy, typically as part of a zigzag pattern. Often used intransitively to describe physical movement or metaphorical shifts in decision-making.


SIMPLE

The rabbit started to zig and zag to escape the fox.

CONTEXTUAL

When the market crashed, the investor decided to zig while everyone else was zagging by buying undervalued stocks.

COMPLEX

The pilot had to zig sharply to avoid the oncoming storm clouds, demonstrating the aircraft's impressive agility at high altitudes.

Synonyms
Origin

Back-formation from zigzag. Compare zag.

Usage

Often paired with 'zag' to describe a repetitive back-and-forth motion; functions as an intransitive verb.

Idioms1 entry

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