toe loop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized / Technical (Sports, Figure Skating)
Quick answer
What does “toe loop” mean?
A jump in figure skating where the skater takes off from the back outside edge of one foot with assistance from the toe pick of the free foot and rotates in the air before landing on the same back outside edge.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A jump in figure skating where the skater takes off from the back outside edge of one foot with assistance from the toe pick of the free foot and rotates in the air before landing on the same back outside edge.
The term is used primarily in sports commentary and discussions about figure skating. There is no significant metaphorical extension outside its technical domain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling remains the same. Pronunciation may vary slightly based on regional accent.
Connotations
Technical term associated with skill and athleticism in a specific sport.
Frequency
Used exclusively within the context of figure skating. Virtually non-existent in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “toe loop” in a Sentence
[perform/land/attempt] a [single/double/triple/quad] toe loop[x]'s toe loop is [adj]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “toe loop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She plans to toe-loop-triple salchow in her combination.
- To toe loop a triple requires precise timing.
American English
- She plans to toe-loop–triple salchow in her combination.
- Toe-looping a triple requires precise timing.
adjective
British English
- The toe-loop entry was flawless.
- He is known for his toe-loop technique.
American English
- The toe-loop entry was flawless.
- He is known for his toe-loop technique.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in sports science literature discussing figure skating biomechanics.
Everyday
Only used in casual conversation about watching or participating in figure skating.
Technical
Core technical term in figure skating for specific jump identification, scoring, and coaching.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “toe loop”
- Capitalizing it (it's not a proper noun).
- Writing it as one word ('toeloop').
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'She toe-looped beautifully' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is often considered one of the easier quadruple jumps for men due to its straightforward take-off mechanics, but at an elite level, all jumps are highly difficult.
The name comes from the similar 'loop jump', which is an edge jump. The 'toe loop' uses a similar looping, backward take-off edge but is assisted by the toe pick.
Yes, single, double, triple, and quadruple toe loops are the standard rotations performed in competition.
Both use the toe pick, but a toe loop takes off from a back outside edge, while a flip takes off from a back inside edge.
A jump in figure skating where the skater takes off from the back outside edge of one foot with assistance from the toe pick of the free foot and rotates in the air before landing on the same back outside edge.
Toe loop is usually specialized / technical (sports, figure skating) in register.
Toe loop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtəʊ ˌluːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtoʊ ˌlup/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of using your TOE to get LOOP (air-time) for a jump.
Conceptual Metaphor
None standard. Could be conceptualized as a TOOL (the toe pick) for achieving ROTATION (the loop).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'toe loop'?