Idioms are fun phrases where the words mean something different together than they do on their own. People use them to add color and excitement to everyday conversations and writing. Today, you will learn a wonderful group of idioms that connect to the idea of starting something new.
In this lesson, we will look at idioms that mean begin or get going. Let us get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Start
1. Jump the gun
Definition: To start doing something too soon before it is actually time.
Used in a Sentence: Leo started running before the whistle and jumped the gun. / Do not jump the gun on buying tickets until we know the date.
Similar Expressions: Start too early / Jump ahead
2. Hit the ground running
Definition: To begin a new project or job with a lot of energy and fast success.
Used in a Sentence: She read all the books early so she could hit the ground running in class. / The new soccer coach hit the ground running with team drills.
Similar Expressions: Start fast / Leap into action
3. Get the ball rolling
Definition: To start an activity or make something begin to happen.
Used in a Sentence: We need a fun game to get the ball rolling at the party. / Let us ask the first question to get the ball rolling.
Similar Expressions: Kick things off / Start the process
4. Kick off
Definition: To officially launch or begin an event or game.
Used in a Sentence: The school band will kick off the assembly with a loud song. / We plan to kick off our project this coming Monday.
Similar Expressions: Launch the event / Begin the start
5. Break the ice
Definition: To start a conversation in a friendly way when people do not know each other well.
Used in a Sentence: Playing a name game helped break the ice on the first day of school. / He told a funny joke to break the ice with his new teammates.
Similar Expressions: Ease the tension / Start talking
6. Set the wheels in motion
Definition: To start a series of actions that will make a plan happen.
Used in a Sentence: Submitting our permission slips will set the wheels in motion for the field trip. / Dad turned on the oven to set the wheels in motion for dinner.
Similar Expressions: Start the plan / Set things going
7. Fire away
Definition: An invitation to start asking questions or speaking right away.
Used in a Sentence: If you have any questions about the science project, fire away. / The teacher told us to fire away with our ideas.
Similar Expressions: Begin speaking / Ask now
8. Put your best foot forward
Definition: To start something new by showing your best behavior or effort.
Used in a Sentence: Make sure to put your best foot forward during your first piano recital. / She tried to put her best foot forward at the new club meeting.
Similar Expressions: Try your hardest / Start strong
9. Take the plunge
Definition: To finally start doing something difficult or exciting after thinking about it.
Used in a Sentence: He finally decided to take the plunge and join the swim team. / It is time to take the plunge and learn how to ride a bike.
Similar Expressions: Dive right in / Make the leap
10. Dive right in
Definition: To start an activity immediately and with full enthusiasm.
Used in a Sentence: Do not be afraid to dive right in and paint your canvas. / The students were ready to dive right in and read the new book.
Similar Expressions: Jump right in / Start eagerly
11. Press the green light
Definition: To give permission for a project or idea to start.
Used in a Sentence: The principal pressed the green light for our school garden club. / Mom pressed the green light for us to adopt a puppy.
Similar Expressions: Give approval / Start the project
12. Open the floor
Definition: To invite people to start speaking or sharing ideas in a group.
Used in a Sentence: The club president will open the floor for suggestions. / After the speech, the teacher will open the floor for questions.
Similar Expressions: Invite comments / Start discussion
13. Ring in
Definition: To celebrate or announce the start of a new time period or event.
Used in a Sentence: We stayed awake late to ring in the New Year. / The school bell will ring in the morning classes.
Similar Expressions: Welcome the start / Announce beginning
14. Turn the key
Definition: To start a motor or begin an operation from the very beginning.
Used in a Sentence: Grandpa had to turn the key to start the old tractor. / Let us turn the key on this new art project.
Similar Expressions: Fire up / Start the engine
15. Set sail
Definition: To begin a journey or start a new adventure on water or in life.
Used in a Sentence: The wooden ship will set sail early tomorrow morning. / We are ready to set sail into middle school.
Similar Expressions: Begin the journey / Embark now
16. Push off
Definition: To start moving away in a boat or begin a trip.
Used in a Sentence: Push off from the dock so we can start rowing. / Let us push off on our hiking adventure.
Similar Expressions: Start moving / Head out
17. Open the gates
Definition: To allow a crowd or process to start moving forward.
Used in a Sentence: The staff will open the gates for the fair at noon. / This discovery will open the gates for new inventions.
Similar Expressions: Let them in / Start entry
18. Raise the curtain
Definition: To start a theatrical performance or reveal a new beginning.
Used in a Sentence: It is time to raise the curtain on our school play. / This event will raise the curtain on our spring festival.
Similar Expressions: Begin the show / Start the performance
19. Strike up
Definition: To start playing music or begin a friendly conversation.
Used in a Sentence: The band will strike up a happy tune for the parade. / He tried to strike up a chat with the new kid.
Similar Expressions: Begin playing / Start talking
20. Make a start
Definition: To take the very first step on a task or journey.
Used in a Sentence: Let us make a start on our homework before dinner. / Even a small step helps you make a start.
Similar Expressions: Begin now / Take action
21. Get the show on the road
Definition: To start an activity or trip that has been planned.
Used in a Sentence: Pack your bags and let us get the show on the road. / Hurry up so we can get the show on the road.
Similar Expressions: Start traveling / Begin the trip
22. Start the ball rolling
Definition: To cause an action or project to begin moving forward.
Used in a Sentence: I will volunteer first to start the ball rolling for the cleanup. / Who wants to start the ball rolling with a story idea?
Similar Expressions: Begin the action / Kick off
23. Light the fuse
Definition: To start an exciting or fast-moving chain of events.
Used in a Sentence: Her clever idea helped light the fuse for our club. / That funny joke seemed to light the fuse for laughter.
Similar Expressions: Spark action / Trigger a start
24. Open the book
Definition: To begin a new chapter or start learning something completely fresh.
Used in a Sentence: Open the book to page ten to begin our history lesson. / Moving to a new town felt like opening the book to a new life.
Similar Expressions: Start reading / Begin chapter
25. Launch out
Definition: To start out on a bold new path or independent venture.
Used in a Sentence: The young artists decided to launch out on their own. / It is scary to launch out into something totally new.
Similar Expressions: Venture forth / Start independently
26. Break ground
Definition: To start construction on a new building or begin a brand-new method.
Used in a Sentence: The town will break ground on the new library next week. / Scientists will break ground with this exciting research.
Similar Expressions: Start building / Pioneer a method
27. Hit the road
Definition: To start a journey or leave a place to go somewhere else.
Used in a Sentence: We need to hit the road early to beat the traffic. / After breakfast, we will hit the road for camping.
Similar Expressions: Start traveling / Depart now
28. Get cracking
Definition: To start working on something quickly and with energy.
Used in a Sentence: Let us get cracking on cleaning up the art room. / If we want to finish early, we better get cracking.
Similar Expressions: Start working / Hurry up
29. Get down to business
Definition: To stop fooling around and start working on the main task.
Used in a Sentence: Recess is over, so it is time to get down to business. / Let us sit down and get down to business on our project.
Similar Expressions: Focus and start / Begin work
30. Take your marks
Definition: To get into the correct starting position for a race or test.
Used in a Sentence: The runner heard the coach shout to take your marks. / Take your marks before the spelling bee begins.
Similar Expressions: Get ready / Prepare to start
31. Sound the starting gun
Definition: To give the official signal for a race or event to begin.
Used in a Sentence: The referee will sound the starting gun for the track meet. / The principal will sound the starting gun for the field day.
Similar Expressions: Give the signal / Start the race
32. Roll out the red carpet
Definition: To start a special event by treating guests with great honor.
Used in a Sentence: The school will roll out the red carpet for visiting parents. / They tried to roll out the red carpet for the guest speaker.
Similar Expressions: Welcome warmly / Start grandly
33. Set off
Definition: To start a journey or trip toward a new destination.
Used in a Sentence: We will set off for the mountain cabin at sunrise. / Pack your gear so we can set off on the trail.
Similar Expressions: Begin trip / Depart
34. Turn on the ignition
Definition: To start an engine or get a mechanical process moving.
Used in a Sentence: Turn on the ignition so the bus can warm up. / This idea will turn on the ignition for our club.
Similar Expressions: Start engine / Power up
35. Plant the seed
Definition: To start an idea or plan that will grow bigger later.
Used in a Sentence: My teacher helped plant the seed for my interest in science. / Reading that book helped plant the seed for writing stories.
Similar Expressions: Start an idea / Begin growth
36. Raise the curtain on
Definition: To introduce a new project or start a public showing.
Used in a Sentence: Today we raise the curtain on our science fair projects. / The museum will raise the curtain on the dinosaur bones.
Similar Expressions: Debut the item / Start display
37. Get going
Definition: To begin moving or start performing a task.
Used in a Sentence: We need to get going if we want to arrive on time. / Let us get going on our math assignment.
Similar Expressions: Start moving / Begin task
38. Initialize the sequence
Definition: To start a step-by-step computer or mechanical process.
Used in a Sentence: Press the button to initialize the sequence for the robot. / The computer will initialize the sequence for the game.
Similar Expressions: Start program / Begin process
39. Raise anchor
Definition: To lift a ship anchor so it can start sailing away.
Used in a Sentence: The sailors began to raise anchor for the long voyage. / It is time to raise anchor and leave the harbor.
Similar Expressions: Start voyage / Pull anchor
40. Start off on the right foot
Definition: To begin a relationship or project in a very positive way.
Used in a Sentence: Always say hello to start off on the right foot with neighbors. / He wanted to start off on the right foot in his new class.
Similar Expressions: Begin well / Start positively
41. Leap into action
Definition: To start moving or working very quickly in response to something.
Used in a Sentence: The firefighters leap into action when the alarm sounds. / We had to leap into action to catch the runaway ball.
Similar Expressions: Start fast / Move quickly
42. Get a head start
Definition: To begin an activity earlier than others to have an advantage.
Used in a Sentence: Packing my bag tonight lets me get a head start tomorrow. / Arriving early gives us a head start on the project.
Similar Expressions: Start early / Gain advantage
43. Pull the starter cord
Definition: To pull a cord to start a lawnmower or small motor.
Used in a Sentence: Dad had to pull the starter cord twice to start the mower. / Pull the starter cord gently to get the engine running.
Similar Expressions: Start motor / Fire up
44. Punch the clock
Definition: To start your workday by recording your arrival time.
Used in a Sentence: Mom likes to punch the clock right before eight o’clock. / Workers punch the clock to start their shift.
Similar Expressions: Begin work / Clock in
45. Open the curtain
Definition: To start revealing something new or begin an act.
Used in a Sentence: Open the curtain to let the morning sunlight start your day. / The actors waited for someone to open the curtain.
Similar Expressions: Unveil start / Begin act
46. Step up to the plate
Definition: To step forward and start taking responsibility or beginning a task.
Used in a Sentence: He had to step up to the plate and lead the group project. / She was ready to step up to the plate and help out.
Similar Expressions: Take charge / Start responsibility
47. Fire up
Definition: To start a machine or get excited to begin an activity.
Used in a Sentence: Let us fire up the grill for our family picnic. / The crowd began to fire up before the big game.
Similar Expressions: Start up / Get excited
48. Take the first step
Definition: To begin a long journey or difficult task with one action.
Used in a Sentence: Writing your name is the first step on the test. / Taking the first step is always the hardest part of learning.
Similar Expressions: Begin now / Start small
49. Put the key in the ignition
Definition: To prepare and start a vehicle or a new project.
Used in a Sentence: Put the key in the ignition so we can drive to school. / Planning is like putting the key in the ignition for success.
Similar Expressions: Prepare start / Begin journey
50. Launch into
Definition: To start speaking or doing something with great energy.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher will launch into the lesson about outer space. / He began to launch into a funny story about his dog.
Similar Expressions: Dive into / Start energetically
Exercise to Practice
- Leo started running before the whistle and jumped the gun.
- We had to wait for the school bell to jump the gun in math class.
- She read all the books early so she could hit the ground running in class.
- Dad used a spoon to hit the ground running on the soup recipe.
- We need a fun game to get the ball rolling at the party.
- He decided to get the ball rolling by eating his sandwich backwards.
- The school band will kick off the assembly with a loud song.
- We plan to kick off our project this coming Monday by sleeping all day.
- Playing a name game helped break the ice on the first day of school.
- She tried to break the ice by freezing her cup of water.
- Submitting our permission slips will set the wheels in motion for the field trip.
- The dog tried to set the wheels in motion by barking at the wall.
- If you have any questions about the science project, fire away.
- The teacher told us to fire away with our pencils into the ceiling.
- Make sure to put your best foot forward during your first piano recital.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you understand English in a much more fun and creative way. When you know how to use expressions related to starting things, your reading and writing will become much more colorful.
Try using one or two of these phrases the next time you talk with your friends or write a story. You will see how exciting it is to bring your everyday conversations to life!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for start?
Some of the most popular choices include jumping the gun, hitting the ground running, and getting the ball rolling. These phrases are used frequently in books, sports, and daily conversations.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms add color, fun, and emotion to our language instead of just using plain words. They help us express complex ideas quickly and make stories much more interesting.
How can I practice using idioms correctly?
You can practice by using one new idiom each day in a sentence or short story. Matching exercises and flashcards are also wonderful tools for remembering their meanings.
Are idioms hard to learn for beginners?
They can seem tricky at first because the words do not mean their literal definitions. However, learning them in small groups makes them easy and enjoyable to master.
Can I use these idioms in school writing?
Yes, using idioms can make your stories and essays stand out and show your teacher your strong vocabulary skills. Just make sure you use them in the right context!
