Idiom B2 Informal

Jump through hoops

To do many difficult or annoying things to achieve something or please someone

Meaning

Jump through hoops — To do many difficult, time-consuming, or annoying things in order to achieve a goal or satisfy someone's demands.

Origin & History

The metaphor comes from circus and animal-training acts, where dogs, lions, and horses were trained to leap through hoops, sometimes flaming ones, on command to please trainers and audiences. Performing such tricks on demand became a symbol of obedience and effort.

By extension, a person made to "jump through hoops" must complete a series of demanding tasks to satisfy others, often bureaucratic or arbitrary ones. The figurative use grew through the 20th century.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
We had to jump through hoops to get the visa approved in time.Bureaucratic process
The bank made us jump through hoops before granting the loan.Finance
She jumped through hoops to satisfy every demand the client made.Client relations
Applicants are expected to jump through hoops just to be shortlisted.Recruitment
I'm not jumping through hoops for a refund of a few pounds.Consumer complaint
The new regulations force small firms to jump through hoops.Regulation

How to Use It

This idiom is informal and very common in conversation and journalism. It usually describes effort demanded by someone else, such as a system, employer, or official, rather than by the speaker. It often follows verbs like make someone or have to, and it carries a tone of mild frustration about the demands being made.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

We had to jump through the hoops to qualify.

We had to jump through hoops to qualify. — Usually no 'the' before 'hoops' in the general sense.

He jumped over hoops to get the job.

He jumped through hoops to get the job. — The preposition is 'through', not 'over'.

They jumped through a hoop to please the boss.

They jumped through hoops to please the boss. — The idiom uses the plural 'hoops'.

Similar Idioms

Bend over backwards Go the extra mile Move heaven and earth Go through the motions All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Jump through hoops" mean?
"Jump through hoops" means to do many difficult, time-consuming, or annoying things in order to achieve a goal or satisfy someone. It often describes effort demanded by a system or another person.
Where does the idiom "Jump through hoops" come from?
The phrase comes from circus and animal-training acts, where animals were trained to leap through hoops on command to please trainers and audiences. By extension, a person who must 'jump through hoops' has to complete demanding tasks to satisfy others. The figurative use grew through the 20th century.
Can you give an example of "Jump through hoops" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "We had to jump through hoops to get the visa approved in time." — used when many difficult steps are required to reach a goal.
Is "Jump through hoops" formal or informal?
It is informal. It is very common in everyday conversation and journalism, and often carries a tone of mild frustration about unnecessary demands.
What CEFR level is "Jump through hoops"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level. It is an upper-intermediate expression that appears frequently in spoken English and informal writing.
What are common mistakes with "Jump through hoops"?
A common mistake is using the singular 'a hoop' or the wrong preposition, such as 'jump over hoops'. The fixed form uses the plural and the preposition 'through': 'jump through hoops'.
What idioms are similar to "Jump through hoops"?
Similar idioms include: Bend over backwards, Go the extra mile, Move heaven and earth. These share the idea of making a great effort, often to satisfy someone else.
How do I practise idioms like "Jump through hoops"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences using the idiom in context, and listen for it in films, podcasts, and conversations.
Can "Jump through hoops" be used in writing?
Yes, in informal writing, emails, and journalism. Avoid it in formal academic writing unless you are quoting or discussing the idiom itself. In everyday writing it is a natural and clear choice.
Does "Jump through hoops" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, "Jump through hoops" is understood in both British and American English with the same meaning: to do many difficult things to achieve something. The idiom is widely recognised across all major varieties of English.