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General

early doors

What does early doors mean?

Slang for early on in the game, especially the first few minutes.

"We conceded early doors and had to chase it."

Origin

British/Northern English slang, associated with pundit Ron Atkinson.

Frequently asked questions

What does early doors mean?
It is British slang for the opening stages of a match, especially the first few minutes.
Where does the phrase early doors come from?
It is Northern English slang, and in football it is strongly associated with pundit and former manager Ron Atkinson, who popularised it.
Is early doors only about football?
No, it is general British slang for 'early on' in any context, but it is very common in football commentary and punditry.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.