Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

to disturb somebody: to have a sudden unsettling effect on somebody
He needs something to jar him out of his reverie.

I would like to know if the use of *jar* is common?

Thanks

[bud]

Hi Missdaredevil,

It's fairly common. You won't hear it everyday, but you'll hear it often enough. We also use it with "memory." When something happens (or is said) that causes you to remember something related, then it has jarred your memory.

Merry Christmas.

[bud]

Mea culpa! I don't know what I was thinking, but we do NOT say jar ones memory. The correct expression is jog ones memory. Sorry about that!