don't start

don't start

Do not even begin to do or discuss something, usually something unpleasant. A: "Why isn't your husband here helping you pack up the house?" B: "Mom, don't start."
See also: start
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌdon’t ˈstart

(also ˌdon’t ˈyou start) (spoken, informal) used to tell somebody not to complain or be critical: Don’t start! I told you I’d be late.
See also: start
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • all for the best
  • (do) (you) want to make something of it?
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • a walking
  • a walking (something)
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a crack at (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
"Don't start using nicotine if you don't have a preexisting relationship with nicotine," he said.
ScotRail transport integration manager Des Bradley said: "Supporting a more integrated transport network in Scotland is a key focus for ScotRail because we know that journeys don't start and end at the train station.
If we don't start winning some games there are going to be some nerves, but I am confident we will."
If we don't start funding our "obligations," we will never keep our heads above the water.
Along the way, don't start to think that your community has an edge over another in our industry.
If he does stay and we don't start too well, that toxic atmosphere is going to creep back in we'll find ourselves in the same situation all over again.
"It's tough but I think you just need to enjoy and we'll see what happens and don't start the tournament thinking to win.
Please don't start flame wars over it, but this year I'd like to apologize for killing (whispers)...
It's a beautiful day in New York" Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate for the White House, speaks to reporters after her doctor diagnosed pneumonia "Don't start pub quizzing me, Dermot" Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry angrily refuses to answer Sky News interviewer Dermot Murnaghan's question on whether she knew the name of the "I'm a tough person.
Best admitted: "We must make sure we don't start this game cold, like we did against Wales."
We don't start the season without a player like him."
EORL CRABTREE has warned the Giants their season could end in failure if performances don't start to improve.
The problem is that we don't start with a clean sheet.
If you don't already take it for heart health, don't start without first speaking to your doctor.
Don't start sowing or planting everything just because March heralds spring, no matter what it says on the seed packet.