phrase General Slang

In The Groove

/ɪn ðə ɡruv/ · phrase · slang

Playing or performing perfectly, locked into the rhythm and feeling it just right.

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Definitions

1

Of a person, feeling great and doing everything just right.

“I'm in the groove tonight, nothing can touch me.”
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2

Of a musician or band, performing flawlessly and swinging in tight rhythm.

“The whole band was in the groove by the second set.”
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3

Of an event or scene, going along smoothly and stylishly.

“Once the dancing started, the party was in the groove.”
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In The Groove In A Sentence

When Basie's rhythm section got in the groove, the floor caught fire.
She felt in the groove from the first note she sang.
Everything's in the groove now, gate, just ride it.

Origin & Usage

1930s-40s swing-era jive, drawn from the literal groove of a phonograph record, where the needle 'rode' smoothly. Harlem musicians used it for playing in perfect, swinging time, and it appears in hepster glossaries of the period.

Variants groovygroovinin a groove
Tags #harlemese#jive#1930s#harlem-renaissance#vintage#jazz#performance

People Also Ask

What does 'in the groove' mean?

It means performing perfectly and swinging in tight rhythm, or generally feeling and doing everything just right.

Where did 'in the groove' come from?

From 1930s-40s swing jive, inspired by the smooth groove of a phonograph record.

Is 'groovy' related?

Yes, 'groovy' grew out of the same jazz image of riding the groove and later boomed in the 1960s.

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