start out (on something)
start out
To be at the beginning or very early stages of some endeavor or occupation. I've only started out with the hobby, but I'm really enjoying it so far. She gave me a lot of great advice when I was just starting out in journalism. I started out studying archeology, but I changed majors to political science in my sophomore year.
See also: out, start
start out (on something)
1. To begin undertaking some journey or process. The group of explorers started out on an ambitious trip across Antarctica. Sure, I'm successful now, but I was broke and constantly on the brink of failure when I was first starting out.
2. To begin at some point of origin in a process of development. I started out as a dishwasher here 20 years ago, but I own the place now! Every great product starts out as a great idea—you just need the ambition and determination to make it happen!
3. To instruct, cause, or compel someone to begin on something or to begin doing something as an initial starting point. A noun or pronoun is used between "start" and "out." We'll start you out on some easy tasks so you get the hang of the job before we throw you into the deep end. They're starting me out on algebra tables before we move up to anything more complicated.
4. To instruct, cause, or compel someone to begin something as an initial treatment for an illness, injury, or ailment. A noun or pronoun is used between "start" and "on." They're starting me out on physical therapy to see if it helps reduce the pain. Otherwise, I might need surgery. Let's start you out on the lowest dosage—we can always increase it if we need to.
See also: out, start
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
start someone out
(as something) Go to start someone in (as something).
See also: out, start
start out (on something)
to begin something, such as a trip, a career, an investigation, etc. When we started out on this investigation, I never dreamed we would uncover so much. What time did you start out this morning?
See also: out, start
start out
to begin. Whenever you are ready, we will start out. We can't start out until Tom is here.
See also: out, start
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
start out
Set out on a trip, as in The climbers started out from base camp shortly after mid-night. [Early 1900s]
See also: out, start
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
start out
v.
1. To have something as an origin; to have begun in some original form or manner: The owner started out working in the kitchen. Butterflies start out as caterpillars.
2. To begin some activity or movement: At sunrise, the hikers started out for the mountain.
See also: out, start
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- start out
- pack it in, to
- all in
- all-in
- get off to a flying start
- keep on with
- keep on with (something)
- get your bait back
- get (one's) bait back
- oodles