Idioms

jump through hoops | go through hoops

This page is about the idiom jump through hoops | go through hoops

Meaning

You can say you had to "jump through hoops" or "go through hoops" if you had to complete a lot of tasks before being permitted to do something.

For example

  • The insurance company made me jump through hoops before they'd give me a health insurance policy. I had to do medical tests, questionnaires, interviews - you name it!

  • The defence department makes you go through hoops before they give you clearance to work in one of their special sections.

Origin: Probably related to the fact that trained circus animals jump through hoops to please their trainers.

Quick Quiz

You'll have to jump through hoops before you'll be allowed to

a. join the circus

b. buy a motorbike

c. adopt a baby
a) join the circus b) buy a motorbike c) adopt a baby

Learn idioms easily with
Common English Idioms PDF ebook!

Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey