Topic: MOTOR VEHICLES
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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | styrtan 'to jump' |
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start1 S2 W2
1 to do something that you were not doing before, and continue doing it [= begin]: There's so much to do, I don't know where to start. Have you started your homework?
begin doing something
[intransitive and transitive]There's so much to do, I don't know where to start.Have you started your homework?2 to begin happening, or to make something begin happening : What time does the film start? Lightning started a fire that burned 500 acres.
begin happening
[intransitive and transitive] also start offWhat time does the film start?Lightning started a fire that burned 500 acres.3 to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way : A healthy breakfast is a good way to start the day.
begin in a particular way
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] also start offA healthy breakfast is a good way to start the day.4 to make something begin to exist
business/organization
[transitive] also start up5 to begin a new job, or to begin going to school, college etc : When can you start?
job/school
[intransitive and transitive]When can you start?6 if you start a car or engine, or if it starts, it begins to work : The car wouldn't start this morning.
car/engine etc
[intransitive and transitive] also start upTETTCThe car wouldn't start this morning.7 to begin travelling or moving in a particular direction [= set out]: We'll have to start early to get there by lunchtime.
begin going somewhere
[intransitive] also start off/outTTWe'll have to start early to get there by lunchtime.8 to begin your life or profession in a particular way or place It's difficult for new lawyers to get started in private practice.
life/profession
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] also start off/outIt's difficult for new lawyers to get started in private practice.9 if a river, road, path etc starts somewhere, it begins in that place : The trail starts immediately behind the hotel.
road/river/path etc
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]The trail starts immediately behind the hotel.10 if prices, amounts, or rates start at or from a particular number, that is the lowest number at which you can get or buy something
prices/amounts
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]11 to begin doing a job or activity completely from the beginning : There were no textbooks, so the teachers had to start from scratch.
start from scratch/zero
There were no textbooks, so the teachers had to start from scratch.12 to deliberately make something start happening, especially something bad :
deliberately begin something
[transitive]13
to start with
spokena) said when talking about the beginning of a situation, especially when it changes later : I was pretty nervous to start with, but after a while I was fine.
I was pretty nervous to start with, but after a while I was fine.b) said to emphasize the first of a list of facts or opinions you are stating : There are problems. To start with, neither of us likes housework.
There are problems. To start with, neither of us likes housework.14 to try to do something and fail, so that you finish in the same situation that you were in before : A lot of people who lose weight gain it back over time, and end up back where they started.
be back where you started
A lot of people who lose weight gain it back over time, and end up back where they started.15 if a player starts in a game, or if someone starts them, they begin playing when the game begins, especially because they are one of the best players on the team
sports
[intransitive and transitive]17 to stop doing what you are doing and begin doing it again in a better or different way : She saw her new job as a chance to start afresh.
start afresh/anew
She saw her new job as a chance to start afresh.18 used to say that someone else has caused an argument or problem : 'Don't hit her!' 'But she started it!'
somebody started it!
spoken'Don't hit her!' 'But she started it!'19 to begin causing trouble : It looks like Jess is trying to start something.
start something/anything
It looks like Jess is trying to start something.20 to move your body suddenly, especially because you are surprised or afraid [= jump]: A loud knock at the door made her start.
move suddenly
[intransitive]A loud knock at the door made her start.21 to begin doing something when you are young, especially when it is unusual to do it : Woods started young, and was coached by his father.
start young
Woods started young, and was coached by his father.22 used to tell someone to stop complaining, arguing, or annoying you : 'Mum, I don't like this ice-cream.' 'Oh, don't you start!'
Don't (you) start!
British English spoken'Mum, I don't like this ice-cream.' 'Oh, don't you start!'start back
phrasal verbstart in
phrasal verb1 to begin doing something, especially with a lot of effort : I decided to just start in and see what I could do.
I decided to just start in and see what I could do.2 to begin criticizing someone or complaining to them about something
start in on Mom turned away from Rose and started in on me.
Mom turned away from Rose and started in on me.start off
phrasal verb1 to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way
start something ↔ off with something/by doing something The theater company started off their new season with a Shakespeare play.
The theater company started off their new season with a Shakespeare play.2 to be a particular thing or have a particular quality at the beginning of something, especially when this changes later : The puppies start off white, and get their black spots later.
The puppies start off white, and get their black spots later. start off as The games start off as a social event, but players soon become competitive. I started off as a drummer.
The games start off as a social event, but players soon become competitive.I started off as a drummer.3 to make something begin happening : We're not sure what starts the process off.
start something ↔ off
We're not sure what starts the process off.5 to begin going somewhere : I sat in the car for a few minutes before starting off.
I sat in the car for a few minutes before starting off.6 to make someone get angry or start laughing, by saying something : Don't say that; that'll just start him off.
start somebody off
British English informalDon't say that; that'll just start him off.start on somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to begin doing something or using something : You'd better start on your homework.
You'd better start on your homework.2 to make someone start doing something regularly, especially because it will be good for them : Try starting your baby on solid foods at four months old.
start somebody on something
Try starting your baby on solid foods at four months old.3 British English informal to begin criticizing someone or complaining to them about something
start on somebody/something at Ray's wife started on at him about spending too much time in the pub.
Ray's wife started on at him about spending too much time in the pub.start out
phrasal verb1 to begin happening or existing in a particular way, especially when this changes later The leaves start out a pale green, and later get darker.
The leaves start out a pale green, and later get darker.2 to begin your life or profession, or an important period of time : When the band first started out, they played at small clubs.
When the band first started out, they played at small clubs. start out as She started out as a model.
She started out as a model.3 to begin going somewhere : Oliver started out at five, when it was still dark.
Oliver started out at five, when it was still dark.start over
phrasal verbIf you make a mistake, just erase it and start over.start up
phrasal verb1 if you start up a business, company etc, or it starts up, it begins to exist : Tax breaks help new companies start up.
Tax breaks help new companies start up.2 if an engine, car etc starts up, or you start it up, it begins working : The driver got back into the car and started up.
The driver got back into the car and started up. start sth↔ up Rory started up the engine and got the vehicle moving.
Rory started up the engine and got the vehicle moving.3 if a sound, activity, or event starts up, it begins to exist or happen : The crickets had started up now that it was evening.
The crickets had started up now that it was evening.