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jar

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jarring experience

An experience that creates an acute sense of shock, confusion, or bewilderment. That car accident was such a jarring experience, I don't know if I'll be able to sleep for days. You need better use of transitional sentences in your paper. Jumping from point to point like that will be a jarring experience for the reader.

See also: experience, jar

caught with (one's) hand in the cookie jar

To have been caught in the act or attempt of some wrongdoing, especially one involving bribery or the illicit exploitation of one's position of power or authority. The senator was long accused of insider trading, and he was finally caught with his hand in the cookie jar when his conversation with a Wall Street executive was leaked to the media.

See also: caught, cookie, hand, jar

on the jar

Partially open, as of a door; ajar. Leave that door on the jar, will you? I love the scent of an early spring morning! He never would have overheard our conversation if you hadn't left the door on the jar!

See also: jar, on

jar against someone or something

to bump against someone or something. The guest jarred against the wall, knocking a picture askew. Someone jarred against Fran, almost knocking her over.

See also: jar

jar on someone or something

to bother someone or some-one's nerves. (Similar to jangle on something.) Her voice really jars on me. My brash manner jars on her, I guess.

See also: jar, on

hand in the till, with one's

Also, with one's fingers in the till; have one's hand in the cookie jar. Stealing from one's employer. For example, He was caught with his hand in the till and was fired immediately, or They suspected she had her hand in the cookie jar but were waiting for more evidence. The noun till has been used for a money box or drawer since the 15th century; cookie jar, perhaps alluding to the "sweets" of money, dates only from about 1940.

See also: hand