Idiom
jump the gun
Meanings
To start or act too soon, before the appropriate time or signal.
To make a decision or announcement before having all the necessary facts or approval.
Definition
To act too early, before the right time or before you have enough information.
To jump the gun means to do something prematurely, often before plans are confirmed or before you are fully prepared. It suggests impatience or rushing ahead of others. The result can be confusion, mistakes, or wasted effort because the timing was wrong.
Examples
- I think you’re jumping the gun by booking flights before the dates are confirmed.
- She jumped the gun and apologized before she even knew what happened.
- Don’t jump the gun; wait until the manager approves the budget.
- They jumped the gun and started building before the permit arrived.
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 a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.