THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A flying start
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A very good beginning with quick progress.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- The new reading club got off to a flying start with thirty members.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
The new reading club got off to ________ with thirty members.
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A flying start — A very good beginning with quick progress.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A flying start” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
A very good beginning with quick progress.
Compare: The new reading club got off to a flying start with thirty members.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it for a promising start to a job, course or project. It is positive and natural in conversation and workplace writing.
More examples in context
- Her careful preparation gave her a flying start in the new role.
- We made a flying start to the project by completing the first task on Monday.
Usage note
“Get off to a flying start” is a common pattern. A strong beginning does not guarantee that the whole project will be successful.
A short conversation
A: How did the first week of the course go?
B: We got off to a flying start. Everyone completed the opening task.
A: Let us keep that momentum going.
One more practice question
Which project gets off to a flying start?
A. A project that remains stalled from the first day.
B. A project that makes strong progress immediately.
Check your answer
B. Quick early progress is a flying start.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.