Meaning & use
jump the rope
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Meanings
phraseintransitive
To hold a rope by both ends, swing it over your head and under your feet, and jump over it as it passes.
Grammar: No object: you jump the rope, not 'jump the rope it'. Often used in the progressive: she is jumping the rope.
Patterns
- jump the rope for a while
- jump the rope with someone
- jump the rope to music
The children took turns jumping the rope in the playground.
She jumps the rope for ten minutes every morning to warm up.
We jumped the rope together while the teacher counted.
phraseintransitive
To use a skipping rope as a form of exercise or training, especially to build fitness or footwork.
Grammar: No object; often followed by a time or purpose phrase: jump the rope for fitness.
Patterns
- jump the rope for exercise
- jump the rope every day
- jump the rope to stay fit
Boxers often jump the rope to improve their footwork.
He started jumping the rope after work to lose weight.
Jumping the rope is a cheap way to get a good workout.
phraseintransitive
In some games, to turn or hold the rope while another person jumps over it.
Grammar: No object; the meaning depends on context, since the same phrase can mean turning the rope for someone else.
Patterns
- jump the rope for someone
- take turns jumping the rope
I'll jump the rope while you run in.
Two girls jumped the rope and the others sang along.
Common combinations
- jump the rope for exercise
- He jumps the rope for exercise before breakfast.
- jump the rope with friends
- The kids jumped the rope with friends after school.
- jump the rope to music
- They jumped the rope to music in the gym.
- take turns jumping the rope
- We took turns jumping the rope at the party.
- jump the rope for ten minutes
- She jumps the rope for ten minutes as a warm-up.
Synonyms and how they differ
- skip
- The usual British word for the same activity; in American English 'skip' more often means to move with a hopping step.
- skip rope
- The common American phrasing, which usually leaves out 'the' and can also name the activity itself.
Word family
Commonly confused: jump the rope or jump rope? jump the rope or skipping?
jump the rope vs jump rope
In American English this is the usual way to say the activity and the rope, while 'jump the rope' keeps the article and sounds more like a description of the action.
jump the rope vs skipping
British 'skipping' can mean the rope activity, but it also means moving along with light hops, so context matters.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'jump the rope' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Jump the rope' takes no object, so 'jumps the rope' is correct. Adding 'it' after 'the rope' repeats the object, 'jumps to the rope' suggests moving toward a rope, and 'jumps on the rope' means standing or bouncing on it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “jump the rope”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.