[jump] the gun
1
to do something too earlier than its right time
The idiom "jump the gun" has its origin in the sport of horse racing rather than track and field. In horse racing, a starting gun is used to signal the beginning of the race. The phrase "jump the gun" originally referred to a horse that began running before the starting signal was given, resulting in a false start. It is now commonly used when someone initiates an action or makes a judgment before the appropriate time, without having all the necessary information or considering the full consequences.
- Don't jump the gun and make a decision before considering all the options.
- She jumped the gun and started celebrating before realizing she hadn't actually won the competition.
- Tomorrow, they will likely jump the gun and announce the results before the official announcement.
- Why are you jumping the gun?We haven't received all the necessary information yet.
- They were jumping the gun by assuming the project was a success before it was completed.