“Fits and Starts” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 15, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The phrase “fits and starts” is a common expression in English conversations or writing. In this reference, you will explore its meaning, providing a clearer understanding of how it is used in communication. Examples will help illustrate the way the phrase fits into everyday language, offering alternative expressions that convey a similar meaning.

Fits And Starts Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Fits and starts” refers to a pattern of intermittent activity marked by bursts of effort or progress followed by periods of inactivity or stagnation. It highlights a lack of smooth or consistent advancement in an endeavor.
Fits and Starts Meaning
Fits and Starts Meaning – Created by 7ESL

Fits And Starts Meaning

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.

  1. “The project has been developed in fits and starts, making it difficult to meet the deadline.”
  2. “Her writing process is often in fits and starts; she’ll write a lot one week and hardly anything the next.”

Origin of this Idiomatic Saying

The first part of this phrase was used first in the 1500s. The word “fits” was used to describe a medical seizure, a condition that causes the body to jerk uncontrollably and then subsides. People with conditions that cause seizures cannot time them, thus the fit is irregular. The term existed for nearly 100 years as “by fits” and then it was changed to “fits and starts.”

Usage of “Fits And Starts”

Here are some examples of how the phrase “fits and starts” can be used in different contexts:

  1. In project management:
    • “The development of the new software has proceeded in fits and starts, delaying the launch date.”
  2. In personal productivity:
    • “She’s been working on her novel in fits and starts; some days she writes for hours, and other days she doesn’t write at all.”
  3. In learning:
    • “His progress in learning the guitar has been in fits and starts, as he often loses motivation.”
  4. In sports:
    • “The team played well in fits and starts, showing moments of brilliance but struggling to maintain consistency throughout the game.”
  5. In career advancement:
    • “Her career has progressed in fits and starts, with periods of rapid advancement followed by times of stagnation.”

Related Terms to “Fits And Starts”

  • Up and down – Describes a situation characterized by fluctuations or inconsistencies.
  • Intermittent – Refers to something that occurs at irregular intervals; not continuous.
  • Halting – Describes something that is done in an uncertain or hesitant manner.
  • In fits – A phrase that indicates actions or behaviors occurring sporadically.
  • Stop-and-start – Refers to a process that involves starting and stopping repeatedly, lacking consistency.
  • Wavering – Indicates a lack of firmness or steadiness, often in decisions or actions.
  • Sporadic – Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.
  • Erratic – Describes something that is not even or regular in pattern; unpredictable.
  • Uneven – Refers to something that lacks consistency or regularity.
  • On-again, off-again – Indicates a situation that is inconsistent or fluctuates between activity and inactivity.

Other Ways to Say “Fits And Starts”

Like all idiomatic phrases, the phrase “fits and starts” can be said in several alternative ways that convey the same meaning. Some of these different ways include:

  • Off and on
  • It is happening sporadically
  • Here and there

“Fits And Starts” Examples

Examples in Statements

A statement made by a celebrity to an entertainment magazine during an interview about his recent movie.

  • “The movie is coming along great. It has been a process of fits and starts but everyone is working their hardest to get it done since we know fans have been anticipating it for years.”

A statement made by a politician during an interview about the current campaign trail.

  • “It has been slow up to this point. It’s been a few weeks of fits and starts. Now everyone will begin to ramp up their campaign to try and rally the most voters possible to their causes.”

Examples in Conversations

A conversation between a student and his teacher.

  • Teacher: Hey Billy, how is that report coming along?
  • Student: Oh in fits and starts, Mr. Hill.
  • Teacher: Get it finished already Billy! You only have two more days with.
  • Student: I promise it is nearly done. I just have to put all the little pieces together.

A conversation between two friends.

  • Friend 1: Are you done planning the wedding?
  • Friend 2: No, not even close!
  • Friend 1: Omgosh! What have you been doing?
  • Friend 2: I have been working and it’s our busy season. That gives me little time to plan. I have to do it in fits and starts.
  • Friend 1: I just hope you can get it all done in time.

Other examples:

  • My slimming attempts tend to go in fits and starts.
  • If you work by fits and starts, you will never achieve much.
  • I aimless by fits and starts, you can’t walk out of the world.
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