{"id":1252,"date":"2022-02-27T19:07:24","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T19:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=1252"},"modified":"2022-02-27T19:07:24","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T19:07:24","slug":"jumped-the-gun-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/jumped-the-gun-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Jumped the Gun - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did someone tell you that you \"jumped the gun<\/em>\" when taking on a task? What do they mean? This post unpacks everything you need to know about this idiomatic phrase's meaning, origin, and use.<\/p>\n

Jumped the Gun Meaning<\/h2>\n

If you \"jumped the gun<\/em>,\" it means you started a task too early instead of waiting for the right moment to execute your plan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The phrase also means that the person might undertake a task without putting thought into it, acting on instinct instead of waiting for instructions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For instance, if you decide to go ahead and request something from a client before checking with your boss, they could tell you that you \"jumped the gun<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n

In this scenario, the phrase could have a positive connotation if the boss likes you taking the initiative. It could also end up in them reprimanding you if it's an unfavorable outcome.<\/p>\n

Jumped the Gun Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"Jim really jumped the gun<\/em> when entering that trade, and now he's down ten grand. I told him to complete his research instead of just pulling the trigger.\"<\/p>\n

\"The executive jumped the gun<\/em>, announcing his appointment before the CEO had the chance to inform the board. Now it looks like they aren't going to hire him.\"<\/p>\n

\"The detective didn't want to jump the gun<\/em> and arrest the suspect before collecting all the evidence required for an open-and-shut case.\"<\/p>\n

\"If we publish this, the public might panic and jump the gun<\/em> on hoarding supplies before we secure the supply chain logistics.\"<\/p>\n

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Jumped the Gun Origin<\/h2>\n

The origin of \"jump the gun<\/em>\" traces back to track and field events. The original phrasing of the idiom is \"beat the gun<\/em>,\" with this variation of the phrase appearing in the English language at the start of the 20th century.<\/p>\n

The first known reference of the phrase in literature comes from Crowther and Ruhl's book<\/em>, \"Rowing and Track Athletics<\/em>,\" published in 1905. The book contains the following.<\/p>\n

\"False starts were rarely penalized, the pistol generally followed immediately on the signal \"Get set!\" and so shiftless were the starters and officials that \"beating the pistol<\/em>\" was one of the tricks which less sportsmanlike runners constantly practised.\"<\/p>\n

The phrase changed to \"jump the gun<\/em>,\" applying to situations other than athletic competition. People would start to use the term to describe premature actions in decision-making processes. The Iowa Homestead used the phrase in its publication in 1921, where it reads as follows.<\/p>\n

\"Give the pigs a good start; jump the gun<\/em>, so to speak, and get them on a grain ration before weaning time.\"<\/p>\n

The phrase would go on to receive several iterations, including \"jump ship<\/em>,\" \"jump someone's claim<\/em>,\" and \"jump the queue<\/em>\" in the mid-20th century.<\/p>\n