/doʊnt laɪk ðə kʌt əv ðə dʒɪb/ idiomatic phrase
Definition: Don’t trust someone. The phrase originates with early sailing ships whose crew came from different countries. Each country had its own version of how to build a jib. Today it is used to describe someone deemed untrustworthy.
Etymology
A nautical term dating back to the 18th century. A “jib” is a triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In the era of sail, the specific shape and “cut” of these sails varied by nationality. Sailors could identify the origin—and therefore the potential hostility—of an approaching vessel by the “cut of its jib” long before the hull or flag was visible. If the sail looked suspicious, the ship was not to be trusted.
Usage
Context: Used to describe a gut feeling that someone is untrustworthy or socially incompatible, often before they have even spoken. It focuses on the “first impression” of a person’s presentation or demeanor.
In a sentence: I can’t put my finger on exactly what’s wrong with the new contractor, but I just don’t like the cut of his jib.