Do you skip to work, shuffle to work or glide into work? Each of these verbs convey movement but they also convey the mood or the intention. Other words such as hop and jump paint vivid pictures of action. As you become an advanced English speaker, getting to grips with the images that these words conjure up is essential.
Words and verbs Related to Movement
Hop
A hop is a small, quick movement, typically performed by lifting one foot off the ground while the other follows quickly. It’s often associated with small animals such as birds or frogs, but in humans, it’s seen as a playful or light-hearted gesture. Children hop when they’re playing – for example hopscotch is played by millions of children around the world.
While hop may seem a simple action, it also carries more casual meanings. For instance, someone might say, "I’ll hop over to the store," indicating that the task will be done quickly or with little effort. The phrase "hop on a call" similarly implies a spontaneous or quick action.
Skip
Skipping is another movement that immediately conjures joy and light-heartedness. More dynamic than hopping, it involves alternating feet while adding a small bounce, propelling yourself forward in a rhythmic pattern. Skipping isn’t just about getting from one place to another—it’s often done with a sense of excitement or carefree abandon.
In a broader sense, skipping often represents a break from seriousness. Characters in stories may skip through fields, signaling freedom or delight. However, in a different context, the verb skip can take on a negative meaning, like skipping over important details, implying that something has been neglected or avoided. Nowadays, skip is used frequently with technology. We often skip ads on videos, bypassing them in a swift, intentional move…or skip to the end of an article to get to the exercises!
Jump
While hop and skip carry a light-hearted and playful tone, the word jump adds an element of force and intensity. To jump means to propel oneself off the ground with both feet leaving at the same time. People jump to reach something high, to clear obstacles, or simply for fun. Think of those amazing jumps done by basketball players! Jumping represents power and intent.
The word jump is also used in idioms. Expressions like jumping to conclusions reflect a hasty decision made without evidence, while jumping the gun refers to acting prematurely. In business, we also use jump to describe rapid upward movements, such as a jump in sales implying fast and significant progress. And speaking of expressions, we have compiled the most commonly used ones in the workplace.
Sprint
When you want to emphasis speed, sprint is the word to use. To sprint means to run at full speed for a short period, usually over a relatively brief distance. Sprinting is often associated with competitive sports, but the verb can be applied to any situation requiring rapid movement or intense effort.
Sprint is also used as a noun and is becoming very commonly used in project management. For example, teams engage in a sprint to finish a task or a project within a short deadline. The use of this word implies focused, intense and quick action.
Tiptoe
Unlike the other verbs which involve bold, energetic movements, to tiptoe describes a delicate, cautious action. It means to walk on the tips of one's toes, moving quietly and carefully. Tiptoeing is often associated with sneaking or being careful—whether it's someone trying not to wake a sleeping person or a character creeping silently through a dark house.
The idea of tiptoeing extends beyond physical movement. We frequently use the verb metaphorically, such as "tiptoeing around an issue," to describe carefully avoiding an issue. Despite its slow, gentle nature, tiptoeing still conveys a sense of tension. If you tiptoe around, you are aware of how you act or what you say may impact the listener.
Glide
In contrast to the cautious movement of tiptoeing, to glide conveys effortless motion, as if the person or object is moving with barely any resistance. Birds glide through the sky, and skaters glide across the ice, both movements suggesting grace and ease.
In everyday language, glide can also mean to move through a process or task with little difficulty. Someone who glides through life seems to face few obstacles, moving forward smoothly and without struggle. If you glide through the exercises at the end of this article, this means that you go through them with ease!
Shuffle
Shuffle describes a slow, dragging movement, often associated with a lack of energy or effort. To shuffle means to drag one’s feet along the ground without fully lifting them. People shuffle when they are tired, unmotivated, or simply moving at a relaxed pace.
Shuffling is often seen in older adults or in people who are physically or mentally exhausted. The movement suggests a lack of urgency, energy, or enthusiasm. In its metaphorical sense, shuffle can describe the rearrangement of things without much care or purpose. For example, someone might "shuffle through papers" or "shuffle priorities," suggesting a disorganized or aimless process.
There are more words to convey movement, but these are the essential ones that you are likely to read or hear in both professional and everyday contexts. How do you start using them? Try writing lots of true sentences (they must be true to have real meaning for you) such as:
- I shuffle to the bathroom on Monday mornings.
- My brother is so clever he glides through his exams whereas I really struggle.
- Are either of these true for you?
Now try the exercises below to help the words stick in your working vocabulary!