hopscotch

American  

[hop-skoch] / ˈhɒpˌskɒtʃ /

noun

1. a children's game in which a player tosses or kicks a small flat stone, beanbag, or other object into one of several numbered sections of a diagram marked on the pavement or ground and then hops on one foot over the lines from section to section and picks up the stone or object, usually while standing on one foot in an adjacent section.

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verb (used without object)

Informal.

1. to jump or leap from one place to another.

   Small birds hopscotched on the lawn.

2. to journey quickly and directly from one usually far place to another.

   ambassadors hopscotching from Moscow to Paris to London.

3. to move or pass through something, as a geographical area or a field of endeavor, making many brief stops.

   The candidate hopscotched through four states in two days.

4. to shift from one thing to another quickly or abruptly.

   The story hopscotches from the present to the past in a confusing way.

verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to jump or leap over.

2. to cross over (a large area or distance) in one continuous action.

   She hopscotches the country in her private plane.

3. to cross or travel through erratically or abruptly.

   The escaped convicts hopscotched the valley.

hopscotch British  

/ ˈhɒpˌskɒtʃ /

noun

1. a children's game in which a player throws a small stone or other object to land in one of a pattern of squares marked on the ground and then hops over to it to pick it up

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Etymology

Origin of hopscotch

First recorded in 1795–1805; hop ¹ + scotch ¹

Explanation

Hopscotch is a game in which players hop on one foot between numbered squares on the ground. Playgrounds and driveways are common places to see hopscotch being played. To set up a game of hopscotch, you need a grid of numbered boxes, often drawn on the sidewalk with chalk. Each player takes turns tossing a small rock or other object into one of the boxes, hopping on one foot, picking up the rock, and hopping back. The object is for the rock to land inside each box without touching a line, and for the hopper to also avoid landing on a line or losing balance.

Example Sentences

There’s even a store in Baltimore dedicated to them — Hopscotch Zero Proof Bottle Shop — just a mile away from the restaurant where I was ridiculed for ordering a spirit-free drink.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2023

Richard Witt is one of the owners of Hopscotch Care, a company which owns seven care homes across the North West.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2022

Look forward to seeing Hopscotch combine jazz and tap on Oct.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2021

There will be an immersive, interactive art gallery operated by Hopscotch of San Antonio.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 24, 2021

“Thank you, Danielle. But I’m never going to be Miss Hopscotch Queen of Queens again.”

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

Related Words

• amble
• cruise
• drift
• float
• hike
• meander
• ramble
• roam
• saunter
• straggle
• stray
• stroll
• traipse
• trek