jump the gun

Idioms and Phrases

Start doing something too soon, act too hastily. For example, The local weather bureau jumped the gun on predicting a storm; it didn't happen for another two days . This expression alludes to starting a race before the starter's gun has gone off, and supplants the earlier beat the pistol , which dates from about 1900. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

“Right now it’s seems to me we’re trying to jump the gun. We’re trying to explain why he’s not here without making any effort to get him here,” Merchan said.

From Seattle Times

But Armentano hopes those in the industry don’t “jump the gun” and that, if marijuana is reclassified, it may still take some time for changes to become tangible.

From Los Angeles Times

Further questions were raised last week when the British military seemed to jump the gun in announcing Kate would attend a Trooping the Color ceremony in June, apparently without consulting palace officials.

From Seattle Times

Ahead of Saturday’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Mohammed Ben Sulayem said any complaint lodged with its compliance officer would be investigated but it had not received one related to Horner’s situation and would not “jump the gun,” the newspaper reported.

From Seattle Times

“You don’t have to jump the gun,” Martino said.

From Seattle Times