PhrasesHub

High jinks

    Definitions

      • rowdy or boisterous behavior
        Referring to noisy, energetic, and often mischievous activities or pranks

      • playful or lighthearted behavior
        Describing fun and lively antics or games, often with a sense of mischief or playfulness

    Examples of High jinks

    • The night of her birthday party was filled with high jinks as her friends pulled pranks and played games that left everyone in giggles.

      "High jinks" refers to lively, boisterous, and sometimes mischievous behavior. In this example, it describes the rowdy and amusing events that happened at the birthday party.

    • The young siblings' sleepover turned into a night of high jinks as they stayed up late playing games and telling spooky stories.

      "High jinks" here refers to the playful and amusing antics of the siblings, who stayed up past their beds times and enjoyed some lighthearted entertainment.

    • The comedian's stand-up act was full of high jinks that left the audience in stitches as he poked fun at everyday life.

      "High jinks" in this example refers to the amusing and humorous elements of the comedian's act, which delighted and entertained the audience.

    • The group's beach outing turned into a hilarious display of high jinks as they built sandcastles, playfully splashed in the water, and engaged in other fun activities.

      "High jinks" in this example describes the lively and amusing events that occurred during the group's beach outing, which included various playful and entertaining activities.

    • The teenagers' wild party last night was full of high jinks, from dancing on the table to spilling drinks on the floor.

      High jinks refers to wild and mischievous behavior, typically associated with youthful exuberance. The phrase comes from the Scottish game of "ginks," which involved jumping over high obstacles, and the term "high" added the sense of excitement and energy to the phrase.

    • The pranks played by the class clown during the school assembly were high jinks that the entire classroom enjoyed and laughed at.

      High jinks can also be used to describe playful and amusing pranks or tricks. The context in this example is in a classroom setting, where the class clown's behavior may be considered mischievous but still entertaining.

    • The rowdy behavior of the sports teams' fan club at the game was a series of high jinks that tested the players' focus and concentration.

      High jinks here is used to describe the disruptive and boisterous behavior of the fan club during the sports game, which may have caused distractions and disturbed the game's focus.

    • The college freshmen's hall party was filled with high jinks that ranged from a sing-along to a dance-off.

      Here, high jinks highlights the lively and unpredictable nature of the party, which might have included various activities and games, as well as some wild moments. The phrase brings out the tone of festivity and fun that is associated with social gatherings for young adults.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "high jinks" can be used to describe both rowdy and playful behavior. It is often used to refer to energetic and mischievous activities or pranks, as well as fun and lively games with a sense of playfulness. The term carries a connotation of lightheartedness and a lack of seriousness, often involving a bit of mischief.

    Origin of "High jinks"

    The origin of the idiom "high jinks" dates back to the 17th century, derived from the Scottish and Northern English term "high jinks," which referred to a drinking game or revelry. The term evolved to encompass rowdy and boisterous behavior, often associated with the festive and playful atmosphere of social gatherings. Over time, "high jinks" came to represent lively and mischievous activities, capturing the sense of fun and mischief in its modern usage. The idiom has since become a colorful expression for describing energetic and playful behavior, adding a touch of whimsy and liveliness to the English language.

    Examples:

    • The children were up to their usual high jinks, running around and causing a ruckus in the yard.
    • The office party turned into a night of high jinks, with everyone participating in playful games and antics.