FALSE START Meaning and
Definition
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False start is a term often used in athletics and competitive sports to describe a premature or invalid beginning to a race or an event. It refers to when a participant or athlete in a race or a game starts too early before the official start signal or before the designated starting point. In such instances, the athlete may leave the starting line or position in anticipation of the start signal or gun but doing so before it is given, thereby resulting in a false start.
This term is also used metaphorically or figuratively outside the realm of sports to describe any instance or situation where a planned or intended action begins abruptly, prematurely, or ineffectively, and is subsequently halted or restarted due to an error, mistake, or lack of preparedness. It indicates a failed or flawed attempt at getting something started or initiated.
This expression can be used to describe various scenarios in different contexts, including business, politics, or everyday life. For instance, in business, a false start might occur when a company introduces a new product to the market without adequate research or preparation, resulting in early failure or withdrawal. In politics, it could refer to a candidate who announces their campaign prematurely, only to retract it shortly after due to lack of support or poor planning. Overall, false start generally denotes an unsuccessful or inaccurate initial beginning that necessitates a subsequent restart or correction.
Common Misspellings for FALSE START
- dalse start
- calse start
- valse start
- galse start
- talse start
- ralse start
- fzlse start
- fslse start
- fwlse start
- fqlse start
- fakse start
- fapse start
- faose start
- falae start
- falze start
- falxe start
- falde start
- falee start
- falwe start
- falsw start
Etymology of FALSE START
The etymology of the term "false start" can be traced back to the combination of the words "false" and "start".
1. False: The word "false" originated from the Old English word "fals" or "fæls", which means deceitful or fraudulent. It can be ultimately traced back to the Latin word "falsus", meaning "feigned" or "deceptive".
2. Start: The word "start" comes from the Old English word "styrtan" or "stertan", which means to jump up suddenly or to move suddenly. It has Germanic origins and is related to the Old High German word "sturzen", meaning "to tumble" or "to fall".
Idioms with the word FALSE START
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a false start
The idiom "a false start" refers to a situation where someone begins an action or endeavor prematurely, but is unable to continue or complete it successfully. It often implies that the initial attempt was not well-planned, lacked proper preparation, or was simply not the right time to proceed.
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be off to a false start
The idiom "be off to a false start" means to begin something unsuccessfully or in a way that does not go as planned. It refers to starting a task, project, or activity with initial difficulties or setbacks, which hinder its progress or success.
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get off to a false start
The idiom "get off to a false start" means to begin an activity or endeavor unsuccessfully or in a flawed manner, often leading to setbacks or delays. It refers to a situation where the initial attempt or progress towards a goal does not go as planned or fails to achieve the desired outcome.
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false start
A false start refers to a situation or attempt that begins prematurely or unsuccessfully, often requiring a restart or correction.
