Idiom of the Day

“Jump through hoops”

“Jumping through hoops

” is a circus term when animals literally jump through hoops for the audience’s entertainment. The meaning has transformed in English into performing extra steps in a process that is generally seen as a waste of time. For example, at work you may have to “jump through hoops” by filling out a report or paperwork that is redundant, but you must do them in order to get hired. Usually these unnecessary tasks are required by law or company policy, and they often do not make sense.