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Meaning & use

jumping through hoops

phrase·Everydayinformalfigurativedisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ θruː huːps/
US/ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ θru hups/

“jumping through hoops” is a form of “jump through hoops”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformalfigurative

    Doing a lot of tiring, awkward or unreasonable tasks in order to get what you want or to satisfy someone in authority.

    Grammar: The verb changes with tense: she jumped through hoops; we have to jump through hoops.

    Patterns

    • jump through hoops for someone
    • jump through hoops to do something

    I spent weeks jumping through hoops to get a simple visa.

    Applicants end up jumping through hoops before the bank will approve a loan.

    He's tired of jumping through hoops just to see his own records.

  2. phraseidiominformalfigurative

    Going to a lot of trouble to please or impress someone who is demanding.

    Grammar: Often followed by for: she keeps jumping through hoops for her boss.

    Patterns

    • jump through hoops for someone

    The staff were jumping through hoops for the visiting inspector.

    I'm not going to keep jumping through hoops for a client who never pays.

    They jumped through hoops to impress the new director.

Word forms

base formjump through hoops
past tensejumped through hoops
third person singularjumps through hoops

Common combinations

make someone jump through hoops
The agency made me jump through hoops for months.
have to jump through hoops
New teachers have to jump through hoops to get certified.
bureaucratic hoops
We went through endless bureaucratic hoops.
jump through hoops for someone
I'm tired of jumping through hoops for them.

Synonyms and how they differ

bending over backwards
Bending over backwards stresses effort to help or please, while jumping through hoops stresses annoying obstacles.
going through the motions
Going through the motions means acting without real effort, which is nearly the opposite emphasis.
cutting through red tape
Cutting through red tape means avoiding the obstacles, whereas jumping through hoops means enduring them.

Opposites

cut corners

Word family

hoop noun
a ring-shaped object, as in a circus or hoop
jump verb
to push yourself off the ground
hoopla noun
noisy fuss or excitement

Commonly confused: jumping through hoops or jumping through the hoops?

jumping through hoops vs jumping through the hoops

Adding 'the' is less usual; the standard idiom is jump through hoops, with no article.

Practice

Getting a building permit meant ____ for six months.

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