jawbone
C1Technical for anatomy. Informal/Political/Financial for extended meanings.
Definition
Meaning
The bone that forms the lower part of the skull, specifically the mandible.
1) The bones of the jaw collectively. 2) To use one's authority or position to persuade or pressure someone forcefully, often through speaking. 3) As an adjective: denoting something unofficial or informal, especially relating to credit.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term has undergone grammaticalization from a concrete noun (body part) to a verb (to pressure verbally) and an adjective (informal). The verb meaning draws on the metaphor of the jaw as the instrument of forceful speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The anatomical term is identical. The verb 'to jawbone' (meaning to pressure) is more commonly used in American political/financial contexts.
Connotations
In UK, 'jawbone' as a verb sounds distinctly American or journalistic. The financial adjective 'jawbone credit' is rare in the UK.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to the common verb usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] to jawbone [NP] into [V-ing][Verb] to jawbone [NP] for [NP][Noun] the jawbone of [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “By the sweat of one's brow and the strength of one's jawbone (archaic, not common)”
- “Jawbone credit (informal finance)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO tried to jawbone the union into accepting the deal.
Academic
The fossil's jawbone provided clues about its diet.
Everyday
He broke his jawbone in the rugby match.
Technical
The mental foramen is located on the anterior aspect of the mandibular jawbone.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Chancellor was accused of attempting to jawbone the banks into lowering rates.
American English
- The Fed will likely jawbone investors to calm the markets.
adverb
British English
- (No established adverbial use.)
American English
- (No established adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- It was merely a jawbone agreement, with no legal standing.
American English
- He got the car through some jawbone credit from a local dealer.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The doctor said my jawbone is healthy.
- Lions have a very strong jawbone.
- He hit his chin and damaged his jawbone.
- The dog was chewing a bone with its powerful jawbone.
- Archaeologists found a Neanderthal jawbone at the site.
- The president used his influence to jawbone the companies into keeping prices stable.
- Persistent jawboning by the central bank failed to stem the currency's decline.
- The study focused on the biomechanics of the equine jawbone.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
JAW + BONE = The BONE that moves when your JAW talks (or pressures someone).
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS PHYSICAL FORCE (The jawbone is the instrument of that force). AUTHORITY IS PHYSICAL PRESSURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'челюстная кость' for the verb meaning. The verb meaning requires a phrase like 'силовое убеждение' or 'оказывать давление словами'.
- Do not confuse with 'jaw' ('челюсть') which is the general structure; 'jawbone' is specifically the bone itself.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'jawbone' as a verb in formal UK English. (Mistake: 'The minister jawboned the industry.' – Sounds American)
- Confusing 'jaw' and 'jawbone' in precise anatomical contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, 'jawbone' most likely means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in anatomy, 'jawbone' is a common term for the mandible, though 'mandible' is more precise and formal.
It can be understood, but it is perceived as an Americanism and is less common in UK political or financial reporting.
'Jaw' refers to the whole structure, including muscles and tissue. 'Jawbone' refers specifically to the bony part (the mandible and sometimes the maxilla).
It derives from the early 20th century American political slang, playing on the idea of using the 'jaw' (speech) as a tool to apply pressure or 'bone' (a slang term for argue or complain).