make a mistake at a very early stage
fail to do something
His efforts to save money fell at the first hurdle when the washing machine broke down and he had to buy a new one.
My plan to travel the world fell at the first hurdle when I realised I'd lost my passport before I even left the country.
The football team fell at the first hurdle when they were knocked out of the tournament in the opening game.
There is no origin for this idiom
Was this page helpful?
definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.