jerk around

jerk ¹

 (jûrk)

v. jerked, jerk·ing, jerks

v.tr.

1. To give a sudden quick thrust, push, pull, or twist to.

2. To throw or toss with a quick abrupt motion.

3. To utter abruptly or sharply: jerked out the answer.

4. To make and serve (ice-cream sodas, for example) at a soda fountain.

5. Sports To press (a weight) overhead from shoulder height in a quick motion.

v.intr.

1. To move in sudden abrupt motions; jolt: The train jerked forward.

2. To make spasmodic motions: My legs jerked from fatigue.

n.

1. A sudden abrupt motion, such as a yank or twist.

2. A jolting or lurching motion.

3. Physiology A sudden reflexive or spasmodic muscular movement.

4. jerks Involuntary convulsive twitching often resulting from excitement. Often used with the.

5. Slang A foolish, rude, or contemptible person.

6. Sports A lift in which the weight is heaved overhead from shoulder height with a quick motion.

Phrasal Verbs:

jerk off Vulgar Slang

To masturbate.

jerk around

To take unfair advantage of, deceive, or manipulate.

---

[Origin unknown.]

---

jerk′er n.

jerk′ing·ly adv.

---

jerk ²

 (jûrk)

tr.v. jerked, jerk·ing, jerks

To cut (meat) into long strips and dry in the sun or cure by exposing to smoke.

adj.

Being or relating to a method of barbecuing meat that has been seasoned and wrapped in leaves of the allspice tree: jerk chicken.

---

[Back-formation from jerky.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

w>jerk around

vt sep (inf: = mess around) → an der Nase herumführen (inf)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007