DictionaryjibRefusing to proceed
verb

jib

To stop or draw back in unwillingness to proceed.

The horse jibs at crossing the narrow wooden bridge.

Etymology

Origin uncertain. The older refusal sense described a balking horse; the nautical sail-name does not establish its ancestry.

More examples

  • Even eager volunteers sometimes jib at working late.
  • We jibbed at paying so much for a simple repair.
  • The pony keeps jibbing at the gate instead of going through.

Forms

jib · jibs · jibbed · jibbing

Similar words

balk
Balk similarly emphasizes stopping short rather than proceeding unwillingly.
refuse
Refuse directly expresses unwillingness, without necessarily stopping or drawing back.