jot
C1Informal, slightly dated. Used in both spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
To write or make a brief, quick note of something.
Used to indicate an extremely small amount or quantity (often in negative contexts like 'not a jot').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Jot" (verb) implies speed and brevity. The noun "a jot" is an indivisible, tiny amount, used idiomatically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in meaning and frequency. The idiom "not one jot or tittle" (from biblical English) is slightly more common in UK religious/formal contexts.
Connotations
The verb can sound slightly old-fashioned or quaint in both varieties.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both, more common in written than spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
jot something downjot down somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not a jot”
- “not one jot or tittle”
- “not one jot of difference”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Let me just jot down those figures from the call."
Academic
Used in literary criticism: "The translation doesn't alter the meaning one jot."
Everyday
"I'll jot your phone number on this napkin."
Technical
Rare; perhaps in fast-paced field notation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Do jot down the postcode before you forget.
- She jotted a reminder on the back of an envelope.
American English
- Jot this number down, would you?
- He quickly jotted some ideas for the meeting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Jot your name here, please.
- I need to jot down the shopping list.
- The news didn't affect his plans one jot.
- She jotted a few critiques in the margin without disrupting the flow of her reading.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'JOT' rhymes with 'DOT' - you make a quick dot of ink when you jot something.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRITING IS QUICK MARKING (jotting), SMALL AMOUNT IS A TINY MARK (not a jot).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'dot' (точка). 'Jot down' is best translated as 'быстро записать/набросать', not 'поставить точку'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'I jotted down it.' Correct: 'I jotted it down.'
- Incorrect use as a large amount: *'He ate jots of food.'
Practice
Quiz
What does 'it didn't matter a jot' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and slightly old-fashioned, but still perfectly understood and used.
Yes, primarily in the negative idiom 'not a jot' meaning 'not at all' or 'not even a tiny bit'.
'Jot' specifically implies writing something quickly and briefly, often as a reminder, not a full composition.
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'jot down the number' or 'jot the number down'.
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