start off
To start doing something or to make something begin
Meanings
To begin a journey, event, process, or activity
"We started off early in the morning to avoid the traffic."
To begin in a particular way or condition
"The negotiations started off well but quickly broke down."
""We started off in a small garage in Menlo Park.""
— Mark Zuckerberg, various interviews on Facebook's origins
To cause someone or something to begin doing something
"The teacher started the students off with a simple warm-up exercise."
To cause someone to begin crying or laughing (informal)
"Don't mention the wedding — it'll start her off crying again."
Very common in both British and American English. Can be used for journeys, events, speeches, careers, or processes. The causative use (to start someone off) is also frequent. Often interchangeable with 'start out'.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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