PhrasesHub

Jump the gun

    Definitions

      • To act prematurely or hastily
        To make a decision or take action without waiting for all the necessary information or without considering all possible outcomes

      • To start or begin something too soon
        To initiate a process or activity before the appropriate time, often resulting in mistakes or complications

      • To make an incorrect assumption
        To jump to a conclusion or make a judgement before all the facts are known, leading to incorrect or inaccurate beliefs or actions

    Examples of Jump the gun

    • The sales team announced the new product launch before conducting market research, causing investors to jump the gun and sell their stocks prematurely.

      The idiom "jump the gun" means to act too soon or impulsively, without waiting for all the necessary information or signals. In this example, the sales team's eagerness to announce the product launch before conducting market research caused investors to sell their stocks before they had all the necessary information, which can be compared to jumping the starting gun in a race before it has been released.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "jump the gun" is commonly used to describe an action or decision made too quickly, without proper consideration or information. It can also refer to starting something before it is appropriate or beginning a task prematurely. Additionally, it can convey the idea of making an incorrect assumption or jumping to a conclusion without all the necessary facts.

    Origin of "Jump the gun"

    The origin of this idiom is rooted in the sport of track and field, specifically in races where the runners wait for a starter's gun to signal the beginning of the race. If a runner were to start running before the gun had been fired, they would be said to have "jumped the gun" and would be disqualified. This concept was later applied to other situations where someone acted too quickly or prematurely.

    Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from hunting, where a dog would "jump the gun" by rushing ahead before the hunter was ready to take aim and shoot. This would result in the dog potentially scaring off the prey and ruining the hunt.

    Overall, the idiom "jump the gun" has been in use since the early 20th century and has been applied to a variety of situations outside of its original sporting context. It continues to be a commonly used phrase to caution against acting too quickly or making assumptions without all the necessary information.