jonah
LowInformal, slightly literary
Definition
Meaning
A person believed to bring bad luck or cause misfortune.
One whose presence is unwelcome or seen as a jinx, especially in a particular activity or enterprise.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used with the definite article 'a' ('a jonah'). Originates from the Biblical prophet Jonah, who was believed to bring a storm upon a ship. Conveys a sense of being a passive carrier of misfortune rather than an active agent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties. Slightly more common in British English in nautical contexts.
Connotations
Archaic or humorous tone. Can be used affectionately among friends.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary spoken language; more likely found in older literature, journalism, or figurative speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is/feels like a jonah[Subject] proved to be a jonah for [Group/Project]They regarded him as a jonah.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Jonah's gourd”
- “like Jonah in the whale (trapped or confined)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'After three failed startups with him, the investors started seeing him as a jonah.'
Academic
Very rare except in literary or religious studies discussing the Biblical archetype.
Everyday
Informal, humorous. 'Don't invite me to your poker game—I'm a total jonah.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The old sailors refused to set sail with him, convinced he was a jonah.
- Ever since he joined, the team hasn't won a match—he's become their jonah.
American English
- They called him a jonah after the project failed for the third time.
- She felt like a jonah whenever her friends' plans went awry.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a jonah. The team always loses.
- Nobody wanted him on the fishing trip because they thought he was a jonah.
- The superstitious crewmembers viewed the stowaway as a jonah who would doom their voyage.
- His reputation as a corporate jonah made him unemployable in the volatile startup scene.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of JONAH as 'Jinx ON A H...uman' (a jinx on a human).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A CARRIER OF MISFORTUNE / LUCK IS A CONTAGIOUS SUBSTANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'Иона' (the name) in figurative contexts. Use 'неудачник' (failure) or 'человек, приносящий неудачу'. The cultural archetype is similar to 'чёрная кошка' (a black cat crossing your path).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a proper noun without an article ('He is JonAH' vs. 'He is a jonah').
- Confusing it with the verb 'to jinx'. A jonah is a person; to jinx is an action.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'a jonah' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When used as a common noun meaning 'a bringer of bad luck', it is typically lowercase ('a jonah'). It is capitalized only when referring to the Biblical figure ('the prophet Jonah').
No, it is solely a noun. The related action would be 'to jinx'.
It is usually meant humorously or lightly. However, in a superstitious context (e.g., among athletes or sailors), it could be taken seriously and be quite offensive.
A 'jonah' is specifically a *person* who brings bad luck. A 'jinx' can be a person, an object, or a spell that brings bad luck. You can say 'He's a jinx' (synonymous with jonah) or 'There's a jinx on this car' (where 'jonah' would not fit).