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

PEN week got off to a flying start with the opening celebration of the sixth PEN World Voices Festival.

From The Daily Beast

He retorted with a fling at the green costume of the other, and then the bugle sounded for the flying start.

From Project Gutenberg

As is well known, aeroplanes need a sort of flying start in order to become effective.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter had got away with a flying start, however, and her writhing body plugged the only means of escape.

From Project Gutenberg

Hating to play the rôle of an eavesdropper any longer than necessary he made a flying start and burst into the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus it enjoys the benefit of a flying start, but, notwithstanding this, it generally fails to make a catch.

From Project Gutenberg