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hoop

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be put through the hoop

To be subjected to some ordeal, difficulty, trial, or punishment; to undergo an unpleasant experience. Between my mother's bout with cancer, Jenny losing her job, and the bank threatening to foreclose on the house, our family has really been put through the hoop this year. Jake wasn't a great fit for the military, and he was constantly being put through the hoop for disobedience.

See also: hoop, put

put (someone) through the hoop

To subject someone to some ordeal, difficulty, trial, or punishment; to force someone to undergo an unpleasant experience. My mother's recent bout with cancer has really put us through the hoop this year. I don't think Jake is a great fit for the military. His superiors are constantly putting him through the hoop for his disobedience.

See also: hoop, put

jump through a hoop

 and jump through hoops

Fig. to do everything possible to obey or please someone; to bend over backwards (to do something). (Trained circus animals jump through hoops.) She expects us to jump through hoops for her. What do you want me to do—jump through a hoop?

See also: hoop, jump

two (w)hoops and a holler

Rur. a short distance. Lexington? That's just two whoops and a holler from here. We're just two hoops and a holler from the downtown.

See also: and, holler, hoop, two

jump through hoops

to do a lot of extra things so you can have or do something you want The company is jumping through hoops these days to try to please advertisers.

See also: hoop, jump

shoot hoops

to play the game of basketball Sometimes we stopped off at the gym after school and shot some hoops.

Etymology: based on the basketball meaning of hoop (a high metal ring through which a ball is thrown to score points)

See also: hoop, shoot

go/jump through hoops

to do a lot of difficult things before you are allowed to have or do something you want They really make you jump through hoops before they allow you to adopt a baby.

See also: hoop

jump through hoops

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]

See also: hoop, jump

hoops

n. the game of basketball. Welcome to another evening of college hoops, brought to you by the Nova Motor Company.

See also: hoop

jump through hoops

To make extraordinary efforts, especially in following a prescribed procedure.

See also: hoop, jump