start off

start off idiom
  1. Set out on a trip, as in We plan to start off in the morning. [Early 1800s] Also see start out.
  2. start someone off. Cause someone to set out or to begin something, as in Mother packed their lunches and started them off, or Paul started them off on their multiplication tables. [Early 1700s] For start off on the right foot, see get off on the right foot.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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