false start
Use False start in a sentencefalse start
noun
1.
Sports. a premature start by one or more of the contestants, as in a swimming or track event, necessitating calling the field back to start again.
2.
a failure to begin an undertaking successfully.
Origin:
1805–15
1805–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To false start
00:10
False start
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
false start
A wrong beginning, as in After several false starts she finally managed to write the first chapter. The term originated in racing, where it refers to beginning a race before the starting signal has been given. The expression was soon transferred to other kinds of failed beginning. [Early 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The court's consideration of the settlement agreement and counsel's fees, however, was subject to a false start.
He had made another total misconception of life,-another inconceivable false start.
Different meeting achieve of the bill from strain and false start.
The sumps are designed to collect diesel fuel from an electric power generation turbine immediately after a false start.
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