hop, skip, and a jump: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “hop, skip, and a jump” mean?
A very short distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very short distance; a small interval or gap.
Used figuratively to indicate something is very close, easily accessible, or separated by only a minor difference or effort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. Both varieties use the idiom identically.
Connotations
Slightly nostalgic or whimsical in both varieties, suggesting simplicity and proximity.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “hop, skip, and a jump” in a Sentence
[BE] just/only a hop, skip, and a jump from [PLACE][It's] a hop, skip, and a jump to [PLACE/GOAL]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to describe a convenient office location: 'The new branch is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the train station.'
Academic
Very rare. Considered too informal for most academic writing.
Everyday
Common in spoken language and informal writing to describe proximity.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hop, skip, and a jump”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hop, skip, and a jump”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hop, skip, and a jump”
- Changing the word order (e.g., 'skip, hop, and a jump').
- Using it with measurable distances (e.g., 'It's a 5km hop, skip, and a jump').
- Using it in formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the standard, fixed form is the full triad: 'a hop, skip, and a jump'. Omitting one element sounds incomplete to a native speaker.
It is decidedly informal and colloquial. It is perfect for conversation and informal writing but should be avoided in formal reports or academic papers.
Primarily, yes, but it can be used metaphorically for abstract 'distance', such as the gap between two ideas, levels of achievement, or points in time (e.g., 'Graduation is just a hop, skip, and a jump away').
No significant regional variations. The idiom is used and understood consistently across English-speaking regions in its standard form.
A very short distance.
Hop, skip, and a jump: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒp ˌskɪp ən ə ˈdʒʌmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːp ˌskɪp ən ə ˈdʒʌmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hop, skip, and a jump”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a child playing: first they HOP on one foot, then they SKIP happily, and finally they do a little JUMP. All three actions together cover only a very short distance.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL PROXIMITY IS A SERIES OF SMALL, PLAYFUL MOVEMENTS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'a hop, skip, and a jump'?