jump the gun
/ˌdʒʌmp ðə ˈɡʌn/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
to act too soon, before the right moment
Examples
- 1We jumped the gun by booking the hotel before our leave was approved.
- 2Let's not jump the gun; wait until the test results are back.
- 3Tom jumped the gun and told everyone he'd got the job before the contract arrived.
- 4Isn't it jumping the gun to buy baby clothes before the first scan?
- 5The shop jumped the gun with its Christmas decorations; they were up in early September.
Grammar
Only jump changes form: jumped, jumping. Keep the gun singular, with the.
More idioms about sports
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →below the beltunfair and cruel, especially of a remarkdrop the ballto make a mistake by failing to deal with somethingpar for the coursewhat is normal or expected, usually something badneck and neckexactly level in a competitiona game changersomething that transforms how things are doneout of your leaguenot good or skilled enough compared with others
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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