start : Idioms & Phrases

• at once; in an instant. Obs.

Webster 1913

• by intervals of action and repose; impulsively and irregularly; intermittently.

Webster 1913

• adverb intermittently
  
  • he worked on his book by fits and starts

WordNet

• a spiral staircase around a solid newel.

Webster 1913

• noun repeated bursts of activity
  
  • they worked in fits and starts

WordNet

• noun a racing start in which the contestants are already in full motion when they pass the starting line
  flying start.
  
• noun a quick and auspicious beginning
  flying start.
  

WordNet

• a start in a sailing race in which the signal is given while the vessels are under way.

Webster 1913

• noun an opportunity to start over without prejudice
  tabula rasa; clean slate.
  

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• adverb completely
  

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• verb start to be active
  get rolling; get going; get moving; get weaving; get cracking; bestir oneself.
  
  • Get cracking, please!

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• noun the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)
  start.
  
  • with an hour's start he will be hard to catch

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• noun the act of starting to construct a house
  

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• noun starting an automobile engine that has a weak battery by means of jumper cables to another car
  jumpstart.
  
  • my battery was dead so I had to get a jumpstart from my neighbor
• verb start (a car engine whose battery is dead) by connecting it to another car's battery
  jump; jumpstart.
  
• verb start or re-start vigorously
  jumpstart.
  
  • The Secretary of State intends to jumpstart the Middle East Peace Process

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• noun a starter (as on a motorcycle) that is activated with the foot and the weight of the body
  kick starter.
  

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• verb start (a motorcycle) by means of a kick starter
  

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• noun the start of a race
  

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• verb start an engine again, for example
  restart.
  
• verb take up or begin anew
  restart; resume.
  
  • We resumed the negotiations

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• noun a racing start in which the contestants are already in full motion when they pass the starting line
  flying start.
  
• noun a quick and auspicious beginning
  flying start.
  

WordNet

• verb take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
  begin; get; set about; start; set out; get down; commence.
  
  • We began working at dawn
  • Who will start?
  • Get working as soon as the sun rises!
  • The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia
  • He began early in the day
  • Let's get down to work now
• verb leave
  depart; set forth; set off; start; part; set out; take off.
  
  • The family took off for Florida

WordNet

• verb get going or set in motion
  start.
  
  • We simply could not start the engine
  • start up the computer
• verb get off the ground
  start; embark on; commence.
  
  • Who started this company?
  • We embarked on an exciting enterprise
  • I start my day with a good breakfast
  • We began the new semester
  • The afternoon session begins at 4 PM
  • The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack

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• noun a start given to contestants
  send-off; kickoff.
  
  • I was there with my parents at the kickoff

WordNet

Start"-up` noun

Definitions

1. One who comes suddenly into notice; an upstart. Obs. Shak.
2. A kind of high rustic shoe. Obs. Drayton.

   A startuppe, or clownish shoe. Spenser.

Start"-up` adjective

Definitions

1. Upstart. R. Walpole.

Webster 1913

• noun block providing bracing for a runner's feet at start of a race
  

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• noun buffer solution at the start of a reaction
  

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• noun a movable barrier on the starting line of a race course
  starting gate.
  

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• noun crank used to start an engine
  crank handle.
  

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• noun a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
  start; scratch line; scratch.
  

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• noun an electric motor for starting an engine
  starter motor; starter.
  

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• noun (baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game
  

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• noun earliest limiting point
  terminus a quo.
  

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• noun a post marking the starting point of a race (especially a horse race)
  

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• noun a signal to begin (as in a race)
  start.
  
  • the starting signal was a green light
  • the runners awaited the start

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• noun a movable barrier on the starting line of a race course
  starting gate.
  

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• noun the time at which something is supposed to begin
  outset; get-go; showtime; kickoff; start; offset; beginning; commencement; first.
  
  • they got an early start
  • she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her

WordNet

• to before another; to gain or have the advantage in a similar undertaking; usually with of. "Get the start of the majestic world." Shak. "She might have forsaken him if he had not got the start of her." Dryden.

Webster 1913

• to set out after; to follow; to pursue.

Webster 1913

• to act as a rival candidate against.

Webster 1913

• to be a candidate for, as an office.

Webster 1913

• to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; to come suddenly into notice or importance.

Webster 1913