The jig is up

Meaning

The deceit has been uncovered.

Usage

Used when the trick can no longer continue.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

'Jig' was 16th-century slang for a trick or game; the exact origin of 'the jig is up' is uncertain.

Recorded from the 1700s.