Ahh yes, but you're quoting from some 'guidance material', not the legal definition. The latter says, in respect of heavier-than-air aircraft:
the total time from the moment at which the aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of taking‑off until the moment at which it comes to rest after landing
[Bolding added]
That's why the heavy metal drivers cannot legally log flight time for the period they're being pushed and pulled around by a tug.
But lots of them do log it as flight time.
That definition is also why, as you say, "if it doesn't fly at all then there is no flight regardless of the intent when starting." I'd go on to say: "There's no 'flight time' to log."
But lots of people log it as flight time.
Go figure.