dʒʌmp ðə ɡʌn
Sports
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To start running before the starting gun fires
What does "jump the gun" mean?
- To act prematurely or before the proper time
- To start something too early
Examples
- Don't jump the gun—we haven't confirmed the deal yet.
- I jumped the gun by announcing the news before it was official.
- They jumped the gun on the product launch.
Origin
From track and field racing, where athletes must wait for the starting gun. False starts mean the runner 'jumped the gun.'
How to use it
Common in business and planning contexts. Warns against premature action.
Similar expressions
act prematurely
be hasty
get ahead of oneself
Opposites
wait patiently
proceed carefully
bide one's time
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "jump the gun" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.