a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
proverb A daunting task can usually be started by doing a simple thing. I'm feeling really overwhelmed about my research project, but I have to start somewhere, since a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I know you have a lot of planning to do, but just take it one thing at a time. Remember: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. A: "Ugh, I've been putting off so much of the wedding prep, starting with calling the caterer." B: "Well, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
an all-out effort
An attempt made with one's full attention or fortitude; one's best effort. To beat the best team in the league, we need to make an all-out effort tonight, boys. As soon as I got an academic warning, I started an all-out effort to improve my grades. Kids, we need to make an all-out effort to get this house cleaned before Grandma gets here tomorrow!
begin by (doing something)
To start by taking a particular action. We will begin by stretching. I began by checking out all the library books I would need for my research. We will begin by discussing the issue of the stolen packages.
begin to see daylight
To realize that one is approaching the end of a project or task. When I scheduled my thesis defense, I began to see daylight after two years of hard work. Wait, those are the only boxes left to unpack? Are we actually beginning to see daylight here? You're up to the T's in the alphabetization project? That's great—you've begun to see daylight!
begin to see the light
To start to understand something, especially something that one was previously confused about or skeptical of. Tutoring helped me begin to see the light about these physics equations. I used to wonder why people disliked Lydia, but I began to see the light after I caught her making fun of me. No, I've always thought that guy was a total con artist. I'm so glad you've begun to see the light!
begin with (someone or something)
To start with someone or something; to have someone or something be the first in a series. Let's begin with stretching and then we'll move on to cardio. You'll all have time to share about your summer vacations, but Caroline, we'll begin with you. All right, let's begin with discussing the issue of the stolen packages.
charity begins at home
proverb One should help family and close friends before helping others. When are you going to get your dear sister a job at your company? Remember, charity begins at home! She seems to have forgotten that charity begins at home—she has no problem volunteering at the church but rarely visits her own mother. Forget about all this community service and help me—your brother—for once! What happened to "charity begins at home"?
he that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin
proverb If a man has romantic feelings for a particular woman, and especially if he has aspirations of marrying her, then he better make a positive impression on her mother. If you really like this girl, bring her mother flowers too. He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin. My husband and my mother have never gotten along, so that old saying, "He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin" has never applied to me! I know Katie's mother still doesn't like me, which is a real problem when you consider "he that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin"!
he who begins many things finishes but few
proverb Someone who starts many projects typically lacks the ability, energy, or interest to finish them all. A: "Did Rod actually finish his novel?" B: "Of course not. And now he's onto 10 other new projects. I guess it's true what they say—he who begins many things finishes but few." No, please finish cleaning up this room before you move on to something else. You know what they say—he who begins many things finishes but few! Chad's new house is in a state of rehab chaos, a classic example of "he who begins many things finishes but few."
he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom
proverb To attain more power or success, one must gradually work up to it from a position of comparative insignificance. Nobody becomes famous overnight—he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom. I know he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom, so I'm willing to file paperwork and fetch coffee for people, no problem. He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom—unless they're the child of a celebrity, of course.
jumping-off point
A starting point for something. I know you're unhappy with their offer, so just consider it a jumping-off point and come up with a counteroffer.
life begins at 40
cliché One has the skills, experience, and means by age 40 to truly enjoy life to its fullest. A: "I'm so depressed that I'm going to turn 40 next year." B: "Come on, Tom, life begins at 40. You've still got all sorts of adventures ahead of you!"
see the light
To understand or come to accept something, especially something that one was previously confused about or skeptical of. Tutoring helped me see the light about these physics equations. I used to wonder why people disliked Lydia, but I started seeing the light after I overheard her making fun of me. After rejecting for years the possibility of using marijuana for medicinal purposes, the government seems to finally be seeing the light.
to begin with
1. From the outset; initially; in or at the very beginning. I never would have bought this car to begin with if I'd known there weren't airbags. You should have said you were feeling ill to begin with! I wouldn't have given you such a hard time if I'd known.
2. As the first of a given set of points (e.g., in an argument). Why am I quitting? Well, to begin with, I haven't been paid for overtime in nearly a year, and I just don't feel valued as an employee in general. There are a lot of problems with your paper. To begin with, you just seem to move from point to point at random.
to start with
1. From the outset; initially; in or at the very beginning. I never would have bought this car to start with if I'd known there weren't airbags. You should have said you were feeling ill to start with! I wouldn't have given you such a hard time if I'd known.
2. As the first of a given set of points (e.g., in an argument). Why am I quitting? Well, to start with, I haven't been paid for overtime in nearly a year, and I just don't feel valued as an employee in general. There are a lot of problems with your paper. To start with, you just seem to move from point to point at random.
when the band begins to play
When the situation becomes serious, critical, chaotic, or troublesome. Our analysts have been predicting a market crash for months now. If we don't diversify our assets soon, we're going to be in serious trouble when the band begins to play. My parents' relationship has been on the rocks for years. I just hope I'm out of the house when the band begins to play.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*an all-out effort
a very good and thorough effort. (*Typically: begin ~; have ~; make ~; start ~.) We need to make an all-out effort to get this job done on time. The government began an all-out effort to reduce the federal budget.
begin by doing something
to start out by doing something first. We will begin by painting the house. She began by opening the door.
begin to see daylight
Fig. to begin to see the end of a long task. I've been working on my thesis for two years, and at last I'm beginning to see daylight. I've been so busy. Only in the last week have I begun to see daylight.
begin to see the light
Fig. to begin to understand something. (See also
see the light (at the end of the tunnel).)
My algebra class has been hard for me, but I'm beginning to see the light. I was totally confused, but I began to see the light after your explanation. begin with someone or something
to start off a sequence with someone or something. Let's have dinner begin with a nice clear soup. I will begin with Liz and take Frank next.
Charity begins at home.
Prov. You should take care of family and people close to you before you worry about helping others. I don't think our church should worry so much about a foreign relief fund when there are people in need right here in our city. Charity begins at home. If you really want to make the world a better place, start by being polite to your sister. Charity begins at home.
He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin.
Prov. If you want to marry a woman, you should find a way to impress her mother, so that the mother will favor her marrying you. Harry: I think I want to marry Gina. Bill: Don't propose to her until you're sure her mother is on your side. He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin.
He who begins many things, finishes but few.
Prov. If you start a lot of projects, you will not have time and energy to complete them all. (Can be used to warn someone against starting too many projects.) Sarah's room is littered with sweaters and mittens she started to knit but never finished, a testament to the fact that she who begins many things, finishes but few.
He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.
Prov. If you want to gain high status, you must start with low status and slowly work upwards. Although Thomas hoped to become a famous journalist, he didn't mind working for a small-town newspaper at first. "He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom," he said.
jumping-off point
and jumping-off placea point or place from which to begin something. The local library is a good jumping-off point for your research. The office job in that company would be a good jumping-off place for a career in advertising.
Life begins at forty.
Prov. By the time you are forty years old, you have enough experience and skill to do what you want to do with your life. (Often said as an encouragement to those reaching middle age.) Alan: Why are you so depressed? Jane: Tomorrow's my fortieth birthday. Alan: Cheer up! Life begins at forty. For Pete, life began at forty, because by that time he had enough financial security to enjoy himself now and then, rather than having to work all the time.
see the light
Fig. to understand something clearly at last. After a lot of studying and asking many questions, I finally saw the light. I know that geometry is difficult. Keep working at it. You'll see the light pretty soon.
see the light (at the end of the tunnel)
Fig. to foresee an end to one's problems after a long period of time. (See also
begin to see the light.)
I had been horribly ill for two months before I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I began to see the light one day in early spring. At that moment, I knew I'd get well. see the light (of day)
Fig. to come to the end of a very busy time. Finally, when the holiday season was over, we could see the light of day. We had been so busy! When business lets up for a while, we'll be able to see the light.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.