jump through hoops

Idioms and Phrases

Do just about anything to please someone. For example, The boss expects the entire staff to jump through hoops for him , or This violinist will jump through hoops for the conductor . This metaphoric expression alludes to trained circus animals jumping through hoops. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

We have to jump through hoops to do things that should be simple—filing taxes, being respected as a family.

From The Daily Beast

Harvey D. and Ella and even grandfather—they all jump through hoops for him, the cowards!

From Project Gutenberg

I don't care so much for the circus, though I should like to see the man stand up on a horse and jump through hoops.

From Project Gutenberg

For this reason I have not only taught him to dance, but also to jump through hoops and through frames covered with paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Using their disclosure as a prod I could have made him jump through hoops.

From Project Gutenberg

And the populace forgets the thrill of the spectacle of the man in the lions' cage making wild beasts jump through hoops of fire.

From Project Gutenberg