start (life) as (something)

start (life) as (something)

Of a project or product, to begin from some particular, and usually markedly different, status, condition, type, etc. My first novel originally started life as short story, but over the years I just kept adding characters and plot details to it. The soft drink originally started life as a medicine used to treat headaches and anxiety.

See also: start

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

start as something

to begin in some original condition or status. Every forest fire starts as a small spark. The argument started as a small disagreement.

See also: start

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.