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jump the gun
/dʒʌmp ðə ɡʌn/◆idiom
to act too soon
The team jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready.
They announced the product prematurely, before it was fully developed.
informal
To act or start something before the proper or agreed time.
He jumped the gun by proposing marriage after only two weeks of dating.
He proposed too soon, before the relationship was ready for that step.
This idiom often implies impatience or a lack of proper timing.
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use this idiom when someone starts an action or process before the appropriate time, often leading to negative consequences.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Do not use this idiom to describe physical actions involving actual guns, as it is strictly metaphorical.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from track and field events, where athletes must wait for the starting gun before running. Jumping the gun means starting before the signal is given.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe premature actions in various situations, such as business, sports, or personal relationships.
English Dictionary