A jib is a triangular sail at the front of a sailboat, positioned ahead of the main mast. While the mainsail (the largest sail) does most of the work pushing the boat forward, the jib helps steer and adds extra power, especially when sailing at an angle to the wind.

Sailors adjust the jib by pulling ropes called sheets to angle it correctly. Getting the jib and mainsail working together takes skill: if they're set wrong, they fight each other and slow the boat down. When they're trimmed perfectly, the boat glides smoothly and quickly through the water.

The phrase “the cut of someone's jib” means the general appearance or character of a person, originally referring to how you could identify a ship from far away by the distinctive shape and style of its jib. If a sea captain said “I don't like the cut of that ship's jib,” he meant something about that vessel looked suspicious or unfriendly. Today, if someone says “I like the cut of your jib,” they mean they approve of your style or the way you present yourself.