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Queimar a largada

Portuguese

Meaning

To jump the gun

Example

Ele queimou a largada e contou a surpresa antes da hora.

He jumped the gun and revealed the surprise too early.

Origin

The expression comes from the world of racing. At the start of athletics events the gun signals the off, and a runner who bolts before the shot — or, in motor racing, lurches off before the lights — commits a queima de largada, a false start.

Source: Tecla SAP.