get off to a rocky start

To have a troubled, uncertain, or discouraging beginning. Our business got off to a pretty rocky start—we weren't sure whether we'd even stay open for a full year. I know the project has gotten off to a rocky start, but we're much better organized now, so we should be able to make up for lost time. After getting off to a rocky start on the sales charts, her novel eventually went on to become an international bestseller.