jump through hoops

Slang definitions & phrases for jump through hoops

jump through hoops

verb phrase
  1. To serve, obey, or accommodate someone without question, esp in a harried, frantic way: You had to jump through hoops to please that guy
  2. To exert oneself mightily; strain: I had to jump through hoops to get you that job

[1917+; fr the image of a trained animal jumping through hoops in a show, circus, etc]


Idioms and Phrases with jump through hoops

jump through hoops

Do just about anything to please someone. For example, The boss expects the entire staff to jump through hoops for him, or This violinist will jump through hoops for the conductor. This metaphoric expression alludes to trained circus animals jumping through hoops. [ Early 1900s ]