jump-start

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jump-start • v. [tr.] start (a car with a dead battery) with jumper cables or by a sudden release of the clutch while it is being pushed. ∎ fig. give an added impetus to (something that is proceeding slowly or is at a standstill): she suggests ways to jump-start the sluggish educational system.• n. an act of starting a car in such a way. ∎ fig. an added impetus.