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• false start
  false start

  noun

  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.
• false-start
  false-start

  verb (used without object)

  to leave the starting line or position too early and thereby necessitate repeating the signal to begin a race.

false start

¹ American  

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.

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false-start ² American  

[fawls-stahrt] / ˈfɔlsˈstɑrt /

verb (used without object)

Sports.

1. to leave the starting line or position too early and thereby necessitate repeating the signal to begin a race.

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false start Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of false start¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Origin of false-start²

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

false start false-start

Amber Anning earned a reprieve after a false start in the 400m but the world indoor champion regrouped to retain her title, winning in a time of 50.16 seconds.

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

Until Nvidia can deliver clear follow-through, the risk remains that this move may have been a false start rather than the beginning of a sustained advance.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

But traders warn that the talk might be another false start toward peace.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

Then, on the doorstep of a score, USC committed a false start on fourth and short.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2025

Ain’t no such thing as a false start.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds

There were two runs that netted just a single yard, a sack, a false-start penalty and a fumbled snap.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2022

Stefanski said he placed a call to the NFL on Monday for an explanation on a false-start penalty that backed up a potential game-tying field goal by the Browns with just over two minutes left.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 24, 2022

The drive bogged down with a near-interception thrown by Wilson and a false-start penalty on the Broncos.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 12, 2022

Herbert was stuffed for no gain, a potential momentum-turning stop by the Giants, but the play was nullified by left guard Matt Feiler’s false-start penalty.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 13, 2021

At all events, that wonderful false-start came to nothing.

From God and Mr. Wells A Critical Examination of 'God the Invisible King' by Archer, William