early

bright and early: seebright.

early bird a person who gets up, arrives, or acts before the usual or expected time.

☞ This expression comes from the saying the early bird catches the worm, meaning that the person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain an advantage over others.

early doors early on, especially in a game or contest. British informal

☞ Apparently this expression arose with reference to a period of admission to a music hall ending some time before the start of the performance and giving a better choice of seating.

2003Guardian Jeremy Vine, hosting Radio 2's music industry debate last night, got a dig in early doors about his hallowed predecessor on the station.

it's early days it is too soon to be sure how a particular situation will develop. British informal

take an early bath

1 be sent off in a game of football or other sport.

2 fail early on in a race or contest. informal

☞ The allusion is to the bath or shower taken by players at the end of a match.

❷1992Bowlers' World Defending champion Dave Phillips took an early bath losing all his three opening qualifying games.