Fits And Starts

Pronunciation: /fɪts ənd stɑrts/

Definitions of fits and starts

noun a series of short, irregular bursts of activity or progress

Example Sentences

A1 Sometimes I can only work on my project in fits and starts.

A2 The old car would only run in fits and starts.

B1 Her progress in learning a new language was in fits and starts.

B2 The economy showed signs of recovery in fits and starts.

C1 The artist's creative process was characterized by fits and starts.

C2 The company's growth was marked by fits and starts, but eventually stabilized.

Examples of fits and starts in a Sentence

formal The project progressed in fits and starts due to various delays in funding.

informal She's been working on her novel in fits and starts, but she's determined to finish it.

slang I've been trying to get in shape, but it's been happening in fits and starts.

figurative Their relationship moved forward in fits and starts, with moments of intense passion followed by periods of distance.

Grammatical Forms of fits and starts

• past tense: fit and started
• plural: fits and starts
• present tense: fit and start
• future tense: will fit and start
• perfect tense: have fit and started
• continuous tense: is fitting and starting
• singular: fit and start
• positive degree: fit and start
• infinitive: to fit and start
• gerund: fitting and starting
• participle: fitting and starting

Origin and Evolution of fits and starts

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'fits and starts' originated from the Old English word 'fit' meaning a sudden outburst or burst of activity, and 'start' meaning a sudden movement or action.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'fits and starts' has come to represent sporadic or irregular progress or activity, often characterized by stops and starts. The original meaning of sudden bursts of activity has evolved to encompass a broader sense of inconsistent or erratic behavior.