starting gate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialized (Racing/Sports), occasionally metaphorical in general use.
Quick answer
What does “starting gate” mean?
A set of gates or barriers used at the beginning of horse or dog races to ensure all competitors begin simultaneously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A set of gates or barriers used at the beginning of horse or dog races to ensure all competitors begin simultaneously.
A metaphorical beginning point or launching pad for any competitive activity or process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally used in both horse racing and greyhound racing contexts in the UK and US.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes excitement, anticipation, and fair competition. The metaphorical use is slightly more common in American business/political journalism.
Frequency
Higher frequency in countries with strong horse/greyhound racing cultures (e.g., UK, Ireland, US, Australia). Metaphorical use is low-frequency in both.
Grammar
How to Use “starting gate” in a Sentence
[The horses] + wait at + the starting gate.[The candidate] + got off to a fast start + from the starting gate + of the campaign.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “starting gate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The greyhounds are loaded into the gates before they start.
American English
- The fillies were starting gated for the first time.
adjective
British English
- He studied the starting-gate behaviour of young thoroughbreds.
American English
- The starting-gate mechanism was due for an inspection.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for the beginning of a product launch or new fiscal quarter. 'The company was first out of the starting gate with its new smartphone.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly in historical/sociological analysis of sports or metaphors of competition.
Everyday
Limited to discussions of racing or as a metaphor for beginnings of competitive events (e.g., elections, school terms).
Technical
Specific to equine/greyhound racing industry, referring to the mechanical/electronic apparatus and its operation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “starting gate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “starting gate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “starting gate”
- Using 'starting gate' for the beginning of a non-competitive process (e.g., '*the starting gate of the meeting*').
- Confusing with 'gate' alone, which can mean a specific sporting event or turnout.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, for car races, the term is typically 'starting grid' or just 'grid'. 'Starting gate' is specific to animal racing.
Only metaphorically, and it works best for events that are explicitly competitive, like elections, product launches, or sporting seasons. It sounds odd for casual or non-competitive beginnings.
'Starting blocks' are the physical devices used by human sprinters (athletics) to push off from. A 'starting gate' is a containing barrier for animals that opens upward or outward.
It can be written as two words ('starting gate') or hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun ('starting-gate mechanics'). Both are acceptable.
A set of gates or barriers used at the beginning of horse or dog races to ensure all competitors begin simultaneously.
Starting gate is usually specialized (racing/sports), occasionally metaphorical in general use. in register.
Starting gate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːtɪŋ ɡeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːrtɪŋ ɡeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be first out of the starting gate”
- “have a bad break from the starting gate”
- “the starting gate of life”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a race track GATE that STARTS the race. It's the gate that starts the excitement.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/COMPETITION IS A RACE; BEGINNINGS ARE THE START OF A RACE.
Practice
Quiz
In its primary literal sense, a 'starting gate' is most associated with which activity?