ask how high when someone says jump

English

Verb

ask how high when someone says jump (third-person singular simple present asks how high when someone says jump, present participle asking how high when someone says jump, simple past and past participle asked how high when someone said jump)

1. To obey someone's commands slavishly, without argument.
   • 1992, Rage against the Machine, Bombtrack:

     […] They say jump, you say "how high?"

   • 1998, Wendy MacLeod, Sin, page 52:

     […] my little brothers and sisters who grew up to go crazy and take drugs and die in car accidents while I managed to not only stay alive but wear a suit every day. And for that reason when the station owners say jump I say how high.

   • 2005, John D. Fischer, The Cowhide - A High School Football Tradition, page 195:

     Redwood's coaches are living and dying on every play; the players are into it but they're tensely composed, ready to ask how high when a coach says jump.

   • 2010, Cindy Jacobs, The Power of Persistent Prayer, page 22:

     In fact, I would barely start giving my “authority speech” when they would give me that certain look, and with one eyebrow raised, say, “We know, Mom, when our teacher says jump, we say, 'How high?' […]

Usage notes

• As shown in the citations given, there are many different constructions of the phrase.