Meaning

To jump to conclusions is to decide something is true too quickly, before you have the facts. The picture is a long leap: instead of walking step by step through the evidence, you jump straight to the end. Usually the conclusion is negative, too. Someone doesn't reply to a message, and you decide they're angry with you.

It is neutral and very common, at home and at work. You hear it most as advice: "Don't jump to conclusions" or "Let's not jump to conclusions." Said to someone who is worried, it calms them down. Said in an argument, it can sound like you are telling them they're being foolish, so a softer version helps: "Maybe we should check first."

In a conversation

RohanSophia
  1. Rohan
  2. Sophia
  3. Rohan
  4. Sophia
  5. Rohan
  6. Sophia

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Why does Sophia tell Rohan not to jump to conclusions?
2Which sentence describes someone jumping to conclusions?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. "Jump to conclusions" has its stress on "clu". Keep "to" very short, almost "tuh".

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.