Definition

Noun: 1. A quick and auspicious beginning: A very successful and promising start to an activity, project, or period, giving an immediate advantage. 2. A racing start in which the contestants are already in full motion when they pass the starting line: In sports like track cycling or some motorsports, a start where competitors have already built up speed before the official starting point.

Usage and Examples

• As a quick and successful beginning:
  • The new product got off to a flying start with record sales in its first week.
  • Her career began with a flying start after she won the prestigious award.
• As a racing start with momentum:
  • In the keirin event, cyclists get a flying start behind a pacing motorcycle.

Advanced Usage

• To get off to a flying start: This is the most common idiomatic usage, meaning to begin something very successfully.
  • The conference got off to a flying start with an inspiring keynote speech.
• To give someone/something a flying start: To provide conditions that enable a very successful beginning.
  • His early training gave him a flying start in the competition.

Variants and Related Words

• Head start (noun): An advantage gained by an early start. While similar, a "head start" implies starting before others, whereas a "flying start" emphasizes the speed and success of the beginning itself.
  • The extra funding gave the research team a head start.

Synonyms

• Promising beginning
• Successful launch
• Fast start
• Auspicious opening

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Get off on the right foot: To begin something well. This is a more general synonym for the first meaning of "flying start."
  • We need to get off on the right foot with our new client.

Noun

1. a quick and auspicious beginning
2. a racing start in which the contestants are already in full motion when they pass the starting line