jump the gun

J j

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [juhmp stressed th ee guhn]
- /dʒʌmp stressed ði gʌn/
- /dʒʌmp ðə ɡʌn/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [juhmp stressed th ee guhn]
- /dʒʌmp stressed ði gʌn/

Definitions of jump the gun words

noun jump the gun a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance. 1
noun jump the gun any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver. 1
noun jump the gun a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory. 1
noun jump the gun any device for shooting something under pressure: a paint gun; a staple gun. 1
noun jump the gun Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer: a gangland gun. 1
noun jump the gun British. a member of a shooting party. 1

See all 26 definitions of jump the gun

Information block about the term

Origin of jump the gun

First appearance:

before 1300

One of the 15% oldest English words

1300-50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr woman's name

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Jump the gun

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Jump the gun

jump the gun popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

jump the gun usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for jump the gun

verb jump the gun

anticipate — If you anticipate an event, you realize in advance that it may happen and you are prepared for it.
foretaste — a slight and partial experience, knowledge, or taste of something to come in the future; anticipation.
look for — to turn one's eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see: He looked toward the western horizon and saw the returning planes.
look forward to — to turn one's eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see: He looked toward the western horizon and saw the returning planes.
mistime — to time badly; perform, say, propose, etc., at a bad or inappropriate time.

All 5 Synonyms of jump the gun