start (redirected from starting in on)

alarm bells start to ring

set (the) alarm bells ringing - if something sets alarm bells ringing, it makes you feel worried because it is a sign that there may be a problem. Alarm bells started to ring (= I became worried) when I found out that he still lived with his mother.

See also: alarm, bell, ring

bring/pull someone up with a start

if something that someone says brings you up with a start, it surprises you and often causes you to suddenly stop what you were doing. The sound of his voice pulled me up with a start.

See also: bring, pull

a false start

a failed attempt to begin an activity or event. After a false start when he left his first job after only a week, he was offered some modelling work.

See also: false

get off to a flying start

to begin an activity very successfully. Maria got off to a flying start in her new job. With several customers on the books already, Tim's new business had got off to a flying start.

See also: flying

get off/start off on the right foot

1. get off/start off on the wrong foot - if you get off on the wrong foot with someone you have just met, your relationship starts badly, often with an argument. I got off on the right foot by telling her how impressed I was with her work. (usually in past tenses)

2. get off/start off on the wrong foot - to start an activity badly. The commission has started off on the right foot by consulting local people.

See also: foot, right

get off/start off on the wrong foot

1. if you get off on the wrong foot with someone you have just met, your relationship starts badly, often with an argument. I don't really know why, but somehow Clare and I got off on the wrong foot. (usually in past tenses)

2. to start an activity badly. If I get off on the wrong foot with one of my paintings, I know it will never be right.

See also: foot, wrong

give someone a head start

have a head start - to have an advantage that makes you more likely to be successful. Bamforth's natural popularity gave him a head start over the other leadership contenders. (often + over)

See also: give, head

have a head start

to have an advantage that makes you more likely to be successful. Bigger companies have a head start on us. (often + on)

See also: head

in fits and starts

if something happens in fits and starts, it often stops and then starts again. Replies are arriving in fits and starts.

See also: fit

set/start the ball rolling

to do something which starts an activity, or to start doing something in order to encourage other people to do the same. I've started the ball rolling by setting up a series of meetings. The hospital appeal received a gift for $1 million to set the ball rolling.

See also: ball, roll, set

set/start tongues wagging (informal)

if something that someone says or does sets tongues wagging, it causes people to talk about them. His late-night visit to her home has set tongues wagging.

See also: set, tongue, wag

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in fits and starts

without regular activity or progress. Though it moves along in fits and starts, this story is so imaginative it is a lot of fun to read.

See also: fit

off to a flying start

beginning very well. This year he's off to a flying start, playing very well and winning his first five games.

See also: flying

start over

to begin something again. If I make even one mistake on this, I've got to start over.

Usage notes: for more emphasis, often in the form start all over: We had to start all over several times until we got it right.

See also: over

start something

to begin an argument or fight. He's always starting something — he doesn't know when to keep quiet.

See also: something