start off

verb

1. intr to set out on a journey
2. to be or make the first step in an activity; initiate

   he started the show off with a lively song

3. tr to cause (a person) to act or do something, such as to laugh, to tell stories, etc

Example Sentences

"If you don’t have a laptop to start off with or you’re a musician in an environment where there is no internet connectivity then how will you participate?" she told the BBC.

From BBC

Separation of one kind of substance from another may sound straightforward as a topic of scientific investigation, but separation techniques are essential right across the economy as most things found in nature or manmade start off impure.

From Science Daily

He’s most widely known for his experimental choreography, and the exhibition’s curators are smart to start off with this rousing, engulfing example of it.

From New York Times

“They took me down to see Max. A lot of people stopped me to start off with, but I managed to get to him and sit down with him. I said ‘Max, Mum’s here’.

From BBC

Conversely much of Scotland is likely to start off cloudy before skies clear from the north overnight.

From BBC

Related Words

• affect
• animate
• arouse
• cause
• embolden
• excite
• galvanize
• get
• hearten
• impress
• influence
• instill
• motivate
• produce
• provoke
• spark
• spur
• stir
• sway
• touch