Definition

1. Verb:

   • To start (a motor vehicle) by connecting its battery to an external power source: This refers to the process of starting a car with a dead battery by using jumper cables to connect it to a live battery from another vehicle or a booster pack.
   • To give a sudden, energetic start or impetus to something; to revitalize: This figurative meaning describes the act of providing a rapid, forceful beginning or renewed energy to a process, project, or activity that is stalled or sluggish.

2. Noun:

   • The act or an instance of starting a vehicle in this manner: This refers to the event or process of using jumper cables to start a car with a weak or dead battery.
   • A sudden, energetic start or impetus: This refers to the figurative boost or revitalization given to something.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Literal):

  • I had to jump-start my car this morning because the cold weather drained the battery.
  • Can you help me jump-start this van? The battery is completely dead.

• Verb (Figurative):

  • The new marketing campaign is designed to jump-start sales for the upcoming quarter.
  • The government announced a stimulus package to jump-start the economy.

• Noun:

  • My battery was dead, so I had to get a jump-start from my neighbor.
  • The project needed a creative jump-start to get moving again after the delay.

Advanced Usage

• "to give something a jump-start": To provide the initial energy or impetus to begin or restart something.

  • The successful prototype gave the entire research division a much-needed jump-start.

• "to need a jump-start": To require an external boost to begin functioning or progressing.

  • After the holiday break, the team's productivity really needed a jump-start.

Variants and Related Words

• Jump-starting (gerund/noun): The action or process of giving a jump-start.

  • Proper jump-starting requires following safety procedures to avoid damage.

• Jump-started (past tense/participle): Describes something that has been given a jump-start.

  • The negotiations were jump-started by the mediator's new proposal.

Synonyms

• Verb (Literal): Boost, charge (a battery).
• Verb (Figurative): Kick-start, revitalize, energize, stimulate, galvanize, reignite.
• Noun: Boost, kick-start, impetus, stimulus.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Compounds

• Jump leads / Jumper cables (n): The pair of insulated wires with clamps used to connect the batteries for a jump-start.
  • Always check the manual before using jumper cables.

Related Idioms

• "A shot in the arm": This idiom is a close figurative synonym for a jump-start, meaning something that revitalizes or energizes.
  • The new investment was a real shot in the arm for the local economy.

Noun

1. starting an automobile engine that has a weak battery by means of jumper cables to another car
   • my battery was dead so I had to get a jumpstart from my neighbor

Verb

1. start or re-start vigorously
   • The Secretary of State intends to jumpstart the Middle East Peace Process
2. start (a car engine whose battery is dead) by connecting it to another car's battery