: a premature start (as of a race or football play)
2
: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (such as a career)
Example Sentences
If someone makes a false start, the race is immediately stopped and the runners have to start again. After several false starts, the researchers were finally able to identify the virus causing the epidemic.
Recent Examples on the WebSmith also commits a false start penalty and the Colts eventually punt. Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Sep. 2022 But council left nothing to chance, after one false start in July. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 Runners used to be issued a warning after a false start, and allowed to try again. Tom Schad, USA TODAY, 18 July 2022 But following a false start that set them back to the 48-yard line, the Bengals needed to try one more passing play with nine seconds left to set up McPherson. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2022 Wills committed the first penalty, a false start, but didn’t deserve the two alignment flags that followed.cleveland, 21 Aug. 2022 But World Athletics changed the rule in 2010 to an automatic disqualification, in part because some sprinters would purposefully false start to throw everyone else off. Tom Schad, USA TODAY, 18 July 2022 Anything faster would be deemed a false start and a disqualification.oregonlive, 18 July 2022 That’s because Allen’s false start couldn’t be detected by human eyes, naked or otherwise. Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 18 July 2022 See More