Idiom
fall at the first hurdle
Meanings
To fail right at the start of an activity or plan.
Definition
To fail at the very beginning of a task or process.
If you fall at the first hurdle, you fail very early when trying to do something, often before you have made any real progress. The first difficulty stops you immediately. It is common in British English about exams, job applications, interviews, and projects. Forms: fall / falls at the first hurdle; fell at the first hurdle; fallen at the first hurdle. Similar ideas: get off to a bad start; different idea: get the ball rolling (make a start).
Examples
- I nearly got the job, but I fell at the first hurdle when I couldn’t answer the opening question.
- Their business plan fell at the first hurdle because they didn’t secure any funding.
- If you fall at the first hurdle, you may need to go back and learn the basics.
- The application fell at the first hurdle due to missing documents.
Common mistake
This idiom is only for failing at the beginning — not near the end. Use fell at the first hurdle for past events, not “falled”.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.