flying start

noun

1. a start, as in sailboat racing, in which the entrants begin moving before reaching the starting line.
2. a start or beginning of anything, characterized by the participant's vigor and enthusiasm and sometimes by a certain advantage over competitors:

   She's off to a flying start in her new job.

flying start

noun

1. Also called (informal)flyer (in sprinting) a start by a competitor anticipating the starting signal
2. a start to a race or time trial in which the competitor is already travelling at speed as he passes the starting line
3. any promising beginning
4. an initial advantage over others

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying start¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Idioms and Phrases

see under get off the ground .

Example Sentences

Initially it looked like it was the hosts who would wilt with the Chiefs making a flying start, Feyi-Waboso finishing off a sweeping left to right move in the corner after just four minutes.

From BBC

Openers and Beaumont and Bryony Smith got England off to a flying start, reaching 44-0 at the end of the powerplay.

From BBC

Liverpool are not the only side settling well with a new manager, with Brighton having made a flying start under Fabian Hurzeler.

From BBC

Brazil's Julio Agripino dos Santos got the Para-athletics off to a flying start by winning gold and setting a new world record in the first race on day two of the Paris Paralympic Games.

From BBC

Road cycling’s time trial is a chance for Josh Tarling to get Team GB’s Olympics off to a flying start.

From BBC