cut a rug
Move your feet
Cut a rug means to dance, especially with energy or enthusiasm.
The phrase dates to the swing era and evokes vigorous footwork wearing down the carpet: Let's cut a rug.
It sounds dated now, often used playfully or nostalgically.
Swing-era dance or bunk
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- foxtrotSmooth partner dance
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
salsa · cha-cha · lindy hop · jitterbug · samba · mambo · quickstep · two-step
Narrow cut or routine
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- tempoRate of musical performance
pulse · backbeat · downbeat · upbeat · cadence · time · footwork · step
Animated and energetic
- spiritedFull of vim
- vivaciousAttractively energetic and enthusiastic
- energeticHaving much vigor
- animatedFull of life, or drawn moving
buoyant · jaunty · frisky · peppy · sprightly · exuberant · bouncy · footloose
Illicit liquor establishment
- big bandLarge jazz ensemble
- jazz age1920s American cultural era
- roaring twentiesProsperous 1920s period
- sock hopInformal school dance
dance hall · ballroom · gramophone · vinyl · crooner · zoot suit · swing era · jukebox
Boisterous social gathering
- hoedownLively rural dance gathering
- hootenannyFolk music social gathering
- jamboreeLarge festive gathering
- bashForceful striking blow
fiesta · celebration · dance floor · nightclub · reception · festivity · get-together · gala
jive
Swing-era dance or bunk
tango · salsa · cha-cha · lindy hop · jitterbug · samba · mambo · quickstep · two-step · boogie
groove
Narrow cut or routine
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
tempo · pulse · backbeat · downbeat · upbeat · cadence · time · footwork · step · move
lively
Animated and energetic
animated · buoyant · jaunty · frisky · peppy · sprightly · exuberant · bouncy · footloose · fancy-free
speakeasy
Illicit liquor establishment
- big bandLarge jazz ensemble
- jazz age1920s American cultural era
- roaring twentiesProsperous 1920s period
sock hop · dance hall · ballroom · gramophone · vinyl · crooner · zoot suit · swing era · jukebox · ragtime
shindig
Boisterous social gathering
- hoedownLively rural dance gathering
- hootenannyFolk music social gathering
- jamboreeLarge festive gathering
bash · fiesta · celebration · dance floor · nightclub · reception · festivity · get-together · gala · soiree
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
cut a rugstand still
Cease all movement
sit still · stay put · freeze · hold still · sit on one's hands