off to the races

off to the races

1. Departing for something. Your suitcases better be packed because, once the cab gets here, we'll be off to the races.
2. In the midst of an activity. Good news, sir—the architect is already off to the races on that project you approved this morning.
See also: off, race
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

off to the races

Fig. an expression characterizing the activity or excitement that is just beginning; [we are] leaving for something interesting or exciting. The tour bus is out in front waiting and we've said goodbye to everyone. Looks like we're off to the races.
See also: off, race
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be off to the races
  • off (someone or something) goes
  • off goes
  • midst
  • in (one's) midst
  • in our, their, its, etc. midst
  • (have) got something going (with someone)
  • in the midst
  • hail a cab
  • taxi
References in periodicals archive
"Then as soon as I got the ball I was off to the races. I was looking up at the screen to see if any of the linebackers or anyone was coming up behind me."
As the area's largest provider of charitable care, Amita Health Alexian Brothers Women & Children's Hospital is making a profound difference in the lives of many children and will be the focus of the sixth annual "Off to the Races" philanthropic event set for 4 to 8 p.m.
DON'T forget - if you're off to the races, you can now buy your ECHO on the course.
Then it was off to the races for two full days of networking, professional development and education from well-known ag professionals--and local ag producers!
Once he's off to the races he is very relaxed and likes to talk about other stuff than racing.
Barona Resort and Casino, a US-based hotel and casino company, has announced an 'Off to the Races' promotion, commencing on August 29, 2011.
FIRST Minister Alex Salmond is off to the races on Friday - as part of the St Andrew's Day celebrations.
the door on the glass tank closes, the water rises to give Moose buoyancy, the treadmill starts, and he's off to the races.
Record profits coupled with little or no regulation of the oil industry, and it's off to the races once again in Canada as far as natural resources versus the health of the environment are concerned.
Include a well-organized work sample showcasing your project and you're off to the races!
All Philips and MKM (Mitsubishi Kagaku Media)/Verbatim had to do was develop the hardware/media technologies, make certain it could be inexpensively and reliably produced and the +RW Alliance was off to the races. Most of the rest of the members don't care which way the wind blows--as long as it blows.
WE'RE off to the races -on the Sunday Mercury's famous Cheltenham Gold Cup tour.
From there, Crowfoot was off to the races. Like so many ideas that form in a bar, things got off to a slow start for the show and the book.
* Off to the races: Recent events do contain one bright spot for Robertson -- his racing horses are doing well.
From there, it was off to the races for a small but sometimes influential number of zealots.