- Meaning
- This idiom describes acting prematurely or starting something before the appropriate time, often due to eagerness or misjudgment, as if starting a race before the gun’s signal. It conveys haste that leads to mistakes or complications, used in professional, competitive, or personal contexts to critique impulsive behavior, carrying a cautionary or mildly critical tone. The phrase reflects cultural values of timing and preparation, emphasizing the risks of rushing ahead without proper readiness, and resonates in fast-paced environments where precision and patience are prized. It often implies a need to wait for the right moment to avoid setbacks or embarrassment.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in early 20th-century America, tied to track and field sports, where runners who started before the starting gun were disqualified. An early use appears in a 1905 *New York Times* sports report, noting a runner ‘jumping the gun’ and losing the race. The idiom gained traction during the 1920s, reflecting the growing popularity of organized sports, as seen in Ring Lardner’s sports journalism. Its metaphorical use expanded in the mid-20th century, particularly in business and military contexts, where premature actions could be costly, as documented in World War II dispatches. The phrase’s adoption in British English came through American media and sports culture, and its vivid imagery, rooted in the tangible drama of a race, and its applicability to timing errors ensured its widespread use across English-speaking cultures, from corporate strategies to everyday decisions.
- Variants
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- Jump the gun
- Jumping the gun
- Jumped the gun
- Start the gun early
- Examples
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- He jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was fully tested.
- Jumping the gun, she booked the venue without confirming the date.
- They jumped the gun, starting the campaign before the budget was approved.
- Don’t start the gun early—wait for the client’s feedback before proceeding.
- Jumping the gun, he proposed before they’d discussed their future.
- She jumped the gun, quitting her job before securing a new one.
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