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IN/BY FITS AND STARTS definition: 1. If something happens in fits and starts, it often stops and then starts again: 2. If something…. Learn more.
Definition of fits and starts in the Idioms Dictionary. fits and starts phrase. What does fits and starts expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary.
FITS AND STARTS definition: periods of activity mixed with periods when nothing happens: . Learn more.
Verb The suit fits him perfectly. I hope this key fits the lock. The two pieces fit each other perfectly. This calculator will fit nicely in your shirt pocket. The two pieces fit together perfectly. How many people can fit in a phone booth? The box was too large to fit through the door. I can't fit all these groceries into the trunk of my car.
The meaning of ‘fit’ when ‘fits and starts’ was coined, in the 17th century, was an earlier but milder version of that. It was then used to mean ‘a sudden state of activity (or inactivity) or state of mind’, as in this early example, taken from William Warner’s Albion’s England , 1586:
The phrase “fits and starts” is a common idiom used to describe something that progresses in an irregular or sporadic manner. It can refer to anything from a project, to a relationship, to someone’s behavior. The origins of this idiom are not entirely clear, but it has been in use for several centuries.
Oct 15, 2024 · The phrase “ fits and starts ” refers to a pattern of activity characterized by intermittent bursts of effort or progress followed by periods of inactivity or regression. It describes a situation where things do not proceed smoothly or steadily, often resulting in a lack of consistent advancement.
Jul 18, 2024 · When we say something happens ‘in fits and starts’, it means that it occurs irregularly, with periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity. The progress or continuity of the action is disrupted, and it often feels disjointed or inconsistent. This idiom is commonly used to describe processes, projects, or even someone’s behavior.
To do something in “fits and starts” is to do it intermittently or sporadically: “Martina has been working on her master's thesis in fits and starts; she needs to work on it consistently.”
In the first meaning, "fits and starts" is often used to describe a process or activity that is not smooth or continuous but rather characterized by bursts of energy or progress followed by periods of inactivity or lack of progress.
