fall at the first hurdle

Definición y Significado de "fall at the first hurdle"

to fall at the first hurdle

FRASE

to fail or encounter difficulties at the beginning of a task or process, before any significant progress has been made

to [fall] at the first (hurdle|fence) definition and meaning

Idiom

What is the origin of the idiom "fall at the first hurdle" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "fall at the first hurdle" is thought to come from the sport of horse racing, where a hurdle is a barrier that horses must jump over during a race. If a horse fails to clear the first hurdle, it is considered to have fallen at the first hurdle and is unlikely to win the race. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more generally to describe any situation where someone fails at the first obstacle or challenge, whether it be in a sporting context or not.

Example

I was hoping to learn how to play the guitar, but I fell at the first fence when I realized how difficult it was to even hold the instrument correctly.

The athlete fell at the first hurdle of the race, ending his chances of winning a medal.

The new restaurant fell at the first hurdle when it received a terrible review in the local newspaper, causing a sharp drop in business.

fall at the final hurdle

to fall at the final hurdle

FRASE

to encounter failure or difficulties just before reaching the end or achieving a goal

to [fall] at the (final|last) (hurdle|fence) definition and meaning

Idiom

What is the origin of the idiom "fall at the final hurdle" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "fall at the final hurdle" is similar to that of "fall at the first hurdle," which is believed to come from horse racing. In this case, however, the phrase may have originated from track and field events, where runners would have to jump over a series of hurdles before reaching the finish line. If a runner fell while attempting to clear the last hurdle, they would have "fallen at the final hurdle," costing them the race. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more generally to describe any situation where someone fails just before reaching their goal, often after an extended period of hard work or effort.

Example

Despite an impressive job interview, he unfortunately fell at the final fence when he failed to pass the required skills test.

The candidate was leading in the polls throughout the campaign, but a major scandal emerged just before the election caused him to fall at the final hurdle.

After months of negotiation, the business deal seemed promising, but it fell at the last fence when unexpected terms were introduced.