false start

¹

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.

false-start

²

[fawls-stahrt]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of false start¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Origin of false start²

First recorded in 1805–15

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

After the Bruins committed a false start, edge rusher Kechaun Bennett was called for roughing the passer and targeting, leading to his ejection.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But a big sack of quarterback Nico Iamaleava by Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka was followed by a false start on offensive tackle Courtland Ford, leaving only eight seconds left and the Bruins still deep in their own territory.

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The question hanging over their conference in Bournemouth this weekend is expressed by one of their MPs: "Where do we go now, to make sure it's not a false start?"

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Other penalties on the Bruins included unsportsmanlike conduct, hands to the face, offside, false start and another pass interference.

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Hunt was awarded the same time - under Asher-Smith's previous record of 22.18 - as Daryll Neita clocked 22.30 for third following her 100m final disqualification for a false start.

Read more on BBC