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What is "to jump at"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To jump at

jump \jump\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. jumped (j[u^]mt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. jumping.] [Akin to OD. gumpen, dial. G. gumpen, jumpen.]

  1. To spring free from the ground by the muscular action of the feet and legs; to project one's self through the air; to spring; to bound; to leap.

    Not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by the square.
    --Shak.

  2. To move as if by jumping; to bounce; to jolt. ``The jumping chariots.''
    --Nahum iii. 2.

    A flock of geese jump down together.
    --Dryden.

  3. To coincide; to agree; to accord; to tally; -- followed by with. ``It jumps with my humor.''
    --Shak.

    To jump at, to spring to; hence, fig., to accept suddenly or eagerly; as, a fish jumps at a bait; to jump at a chance.

Usage examples of "to jump at".

Far beyond prohibited, not to jump at all is regarded as impossible.

They were going to jump at maindawn, He was worried about sleeping through it.

This being a mixed herd it was more apt to stampede than had it been one or the other, but we had a couple of steers and one cow that were plumb flighty, ready to jump at the slightest noise.