jump scare

Meaning

A jump scare is a technique used in horror movies, video games, and haunted houses where a sudden change in image or sound startles the audience, making them physically jump. It relies on surprise rather than suspense or psychological dread. While effective, some critics feel it is a cheap way to frighten people.

Examples

• I hate modern horror movies because they rely too much on loud jump scares.

  I hate modern horror movies because they rely too much on loud jump scares.

• There was a massive jump scare in the middle of the film that made me drop my popcorn.

  There was a massive jump scare in the middle of the film that made me drop my popcorn.

• The video game is terrifying, mostly because of the unexpected jump scares.

  The video game is terrifying, mostly because of the unexpected jump scares.

• Even though I knew the monster was coming, the jump scare still got me.

  Even though I knew the monster was coming, the jump scare still got me.

• A good thriller builds tension slowly instead of just throwing one jump scare after another at you.

  A good thriller builds tension slowly instead of just throwing one jump scare after another at you.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The movie had a lot of jumping scares.

  ✓ The movie had a lot of jump scares.

  The noun phrase is 'jump scare' (noun/verb + noun), not 'jumping scare.'

• ✗ I was jump scared by the cat.

  ✓ The cat gave me a jump scare.

  While 'jump scare' is sometimes used casually as a verb, it is traditionally a noun. Saying 'gave me a jump scare' is much more natural and standard.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The movie wasn't really scary; it just had one cheap ___ after another.

  💡 A sudden, startling moment in a horror film.

  Show answer

  jump scare

• When the ghost suddenly appeared on the screen with a loud noise, it was a classic ___.

  💡 A technique that makes you physically jump from surprise.

  Show answer

  jump scare