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

A third and one from the one-yard line that turned into a missed field goal after a false start stunted the red-zone opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times

To say he has had a false start at Anfield is a masterpiece of understatement.

From BBC

Even if the launch is a false start, it's unlikely to change the general trend.

From BBC

With the crowd roaring at a Seahawks-on-defense decibel level, they forced the equivalent of a false start from Cleveland pitcher James Karinchak, who appeared distinctly rattled by the sustained cacophony after a pitch-clock violation gave J.P.

From Seattle Times

After a false start as a rice farmer in San Francisco, he made his way to Southern California, where he made a living as a landscaper, honing his skills as a gardener and maintaining sprawling lawns across the San Gabriel Valley.

From Los Angeles Times