jack

A playing card showing a young man, marked with the letter J.

• I have a jack and an ace.
• She played the jack of clubs.
• How many jacks are left in the deck?

Similar words: knave

Common phrases: jack of hearts, jack of spades, play a jack

A tool that lifts and holds something heavy, especially a car.

• We need a jack to lift the car.
• She placed the jack under the frame.
• Does this jack support the weight of our van?

Common phrases: car jack, hydraulic jack, use a jack

A small plug or opening used to connect electrical equipment.

• Plug the headphones into the jack.
• My phone has no headphone jack.
• Check the audio jacks at the back of the computer.

Similar words: connector

Common phrases: headphone jack, audio jack, telephone jack

Nothing at all, especially in expressions about knowing or having nothing.

• I know jack about cars.
• They paid me jack for all that work.
• That old computer is worth jack.

Similar words: nothing, zero

Common phrases: know jack, jack squat, worth jack

A small flag flown on a ship, often at the front.

• The ship flew a jack at the bow.
• Each navy has its own jack.
• The sailors lowered the jack before leaving port.

Similar words: kitty

Common phrases: naval jack, fly a jack

A strong coat worn by soldiers in the Middle Ages to protect their bodies.

• The soldier wore a leather jack.
• Small metal plates strengthened his jack.
• The museum displays several jacks from medieval battles.

Common phrases: leather jack, padded jack, jack of plate

To increase a price, amount, or level, often sharply.

• They jacked up the prices.
• The hotel jacks its rates up during festivals.
• Higher fuel costs have jacked up delivery fees.

How to use it: jack something up (The landlord jacked the rent up again.)

Similar words: increase, raise, hike

Opposites: lower, reduce

Common phrases: jack up prices, jack something up

To lift something heavy with a special lifting tool.

• Jack the car up carefully.
• They jacked up the truck to repair it.
• Can you jack this side up a little higher?

How to use it: jack something up (We jacked the car up to change the wheel.)

Similar words: raise, lift

Opposites: lower

Common phrases: jack something up, jack up something