In for the high jump

Posted by James Briggs August 26, 2004In reply to In for the high jump posted by Smokey Stover on August 26, 2004

Where does the saying: 'You're in for the high jump' come from?

I've never heard the expression. Maybe it's from this (Merriam-Webster definition):

Main Entry: high jump
Function: noun

a jump for height over a horizontal bar in a track-and-field contest

- high jumper noun

"You're for the high jump now" means you are about to be, or likely to be, hanged. SS

A common phrse in the UK meaning 'you're in trouble now'.