IdiomDaily LifeSpanish

dar el pistoletazo de salida

Meaning: To officially begin or launch something.

Literally: To give the pistol shot of departure

Example: “El alcalde dio el pistoletazo de salida a las fiestas del pueblo.” — The mayor fired the starting gun on the village festival.

English equivalent: To fire the starting gun

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: From athletics and racing, where a starter's pistol fired into the air signals the start. Spanish journalism uses it constantly for the launch of anything from a sales season to an election campaign.

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