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View synonyms for running start

running start

noun

  1. Sports. a start, as in the hop, step, and jump or the running broad jump, in which a contestant begins moving before reaching the starting or take-off point.
  2. an initial advantage in undertaking something; a head start:

    His background gave him a running start in business.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of running start1

First recorded in 1925–30

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Idioms and Phrases

An initial advantage, as in His background in biochemistry gave him a running start in the field of genetics . This expression alludes to track events such as the running broad jump, in which one begins moving before reaching the actual take-off point. [1920s] Also see under get off the ground .

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Example Sentences

The running start is necessary to avoid the rocks that, a Palestinian subject tells the camera, once nearly broke his back.

According to Bisutti, God Inspired Fashion is already off to a running start.

Elizabeth's Gilbert's book, naturally, gave it a running start.

Leno is taking a running start, a week before the other broadcast networks roll out their fall programming.

A gal that ken jump a six-rail fence—and wissout no running start—don't let her git apast you!

"Well, we've got a running start on that order," and he threw a glance over his shoulder at the mill.

Wilson said we were getting as near as possible first, "taking a running start," to use his words.

We just get a running start and jump on the ice and skeet as far as we could go, and then run some more.

Hans Van Doorst had gone to the raised stern of his wrecked boat to give himself a running start, and as Ramsay looked, he dived.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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