The-jig-is-up Definition

(US, idiomatic, dated) An expression used to mean "We have been caught out and have no defense", or if spoken to a person who's just been found out as the perpetrator of an offense, it means "You've been discovered."
Wiktionary

Origin of The-jig-is-up

  • Another more speculative origination was posted prior to the referenced one above. It suggests the phrase may refer to a common fishing situation where a fisherman boasts they have hooked on to a large fish, at which point an unconvinced onlooker quickly refutes this claim because they can see that the fisherman's "jig is up." A jig is a common form of fishing tackle, typically arrangements of hooks, sinkers, metal bracing, plastic beads and swivels designed to target specific fish species.

    From Wiktionary

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