starting gate
5
3.4
- noun
- /ˈstɑrtɪŋ ɡeɪt/
:
puerta de salida
- As the race began, the gate opened, and the horses burst out of the starting gate.
- horses in the starting gate
- leave the starting gate
- starting gate opens
Examples
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The horses have now reached the starting gate for the first race of the day.
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Folks, just a couple of minutes to post time as the horses make their way toward the starting gate.
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We'll try her out at the starting gate tomorrow.
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It's still even money which one of us will be the first out of the starting gate.
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Horses are all at the starting gate.
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The horses have now reached the starting gate.
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The horses are approaching the starting gate.
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Zenyatta can only beat the horses that line up in the starting gate next to her.
Blog text (18) -
I thought exactly the same thing when I saw that picture of Zenyatta leaving the starting gate with the other horses.
Blog text (18) -
From the paddock to the starting gate to the winner's circle, The Rail provides an insider's view of the action.
Blog text (24)
Synonyms
793
1.0
A barrier that opens and closes in a fence or wall
A gate at the starting line that holds each horse or racer before a race starts
How Enclosed
- Specialized
5
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a movable barrier at the starting line of a racecourse' is directly and transparently derived from 'starting' (initial stage) combined with 'gate' (barrier). This is a straightforward modifier+noun compound describing a physical object used to start races, a compositional and cross-linguistically common concept that a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand.
Etymology
The noun starting gate comes from horse and dog races: a gate holds the animals back before the race, and when the gate opens they all rush forward. So being at the starting gate means being in the place or moment where something is ready to 'begin'.