Hi this is Tutor Nick P and this is Word Origins 13. The word origin today is jump
the gun. Okay. Let's take a look at the note here. If someone jumps the gun he or
she begins something too soon or too quickly before proper preparations or
before a suitable time. Okay. Let's continue. The origin of this phrase is
derived directly from track and field races. As everyone sees in official races
you know, like in the Olympics, one must shoot off a gun to let the runners know
the moment or that second they can start running. So usually there's a shot and
then the runners start to go. If a runner tries to start before the shot he or she
has jumped the gun. So that's where the phrase actually comes from. So because
they shoot off the gun to let the runners know. Officially this is not
allowed, and it is referred to as a false start. So if a runner is caught leaving
too soon you know a second or two seconds too early then they may have to
do the race over again or start it over again. Or he may be penalized for it.
All right. Let's continue. Let's look at the examples here. Example number one. Don't
jump the gun. We need to wait for the approval of the boss before we can begin
this project. Okay or number two here. You have only been dating Jane for three
months. If you propose to her already, you may scare her off. Yeah. Maybe she's not
ready for this. They've only known each other a short time. Don't jump the
gun. She's not ready to commit. So this is how we use it a lot. We tell somebody
don't do this too soon. Don't do it too early and you should let the
relationship have time to develop deeper or in a natural way. So we often tell
somebody, don't jump the gun, you know this is too early. This is
too soon. Wait give it more time. Okay anyway, I hope you got it. I hope it's
clear. Thank you for your time. Bye-bye.