Idioms

25 Idioms for Starting Something

Exploring Idioms for Starting New Beginnings

Embarking on a new venture is akin to navigating uncharted seas. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, acquiring a new skill, or simply initiating a new day, effectively articulating your beginnings enhances communication and makes it captivating. Idioms, an integral and colorful part of language, inject vibrancy into our discussions about new starts. These are not just phrases but carry meanings that transcend their literal interpretations.

In this article, we delve into a variety of idioms that encapsulate the essence of initiating activities or ideas. Understanding these idioms and incorporating them into daily dialogue can make your interactions more dynamic and personable. Let’s jump into the world of idioms and discover how they can enliven your conversations.

Idioms for Initiating Actions

1. Set the wheels in motion
  • Meaning: To start a process or a series of actions.
  • Usage in Sentence: Let’s set the wheels in motion for the annual community clean-up day.
2. Dive headfirst
  • Meaning: To start something with great enthusiasm and no hesitation.
  • Usage in Sentence: He dove headfirst into learning French before moving to Paris.
3. Launch into
  • Meaning: Begin with enthusiasm or start a major task.
  • Usage in Sentence: She launched into the presentation after weeks of preparation.
4. Spring into action
  • Meaning: To start something immediately and with energy.
  • Usage in Sentence: The lifeguard sprang into action when he saw the swimmer in distress.
5. Begin at the drawing board
  • Meaning: To start planning something from the beginning.
  • Usage in Sentence: After the project failure, it was back to the drawing board.
6. Warm up the crowd
  • Meaning: To prepare an audience for an event or performance by engaging them initially.
  • Usage in Sentence: The emcee warmed up the crowd with some interactive jokes.
7. Ignite the flame
  • Meaning: To begin something with passion or to spark an interest.
  • Usage in Sentence: Her powerful speech ignited the flame of activism among the youth.
8. Take a leap
  • Meaning: To start something, especially after thinking about it for a long time.
  • Usage in Sentence: After months of hesitation, he finally took a leap and opened his own cafe.
9. Reboot
  • Meaning: To start something again and from the start, with the intention of improving it.
  • Usage in Sentence: The software team decided to reboot the project to include new features.
10. Embark on
  • Meaning: To start a journey, literally or metaphorically.
  • Usage in Sentence: She embarked on her journey to write her first novel.

Exercise to Engage

  1. To initiate our plans, we need to __ the wheels in motion.
  2. He is ready to __ and apply for the master’s program.
  3. Without further ado, let’s __ into the celebrations.
  4. When there’s an emergency, firefighters need to __ into action.
  5. After the failed attempt, it’s time to begin __ at the drawing board.
  6. Before the main event, it’s crucial to __ up the crowd.
  7. A passionate plea from the community leader helped __ the flame.
  8. With the new year approaching, it’s the perfect time to __ in a new hobby.
  9. The team decided to __ the whole project after the initial feedback.
  10. This year, I plan to __ on a healthier lifestyle.

Answers

  1. set
  2. take a leap
  3. launch
  4. spring
  5. at the
  6. warm
  7. ignite
  8. embark
  9. reboot
  10. embark

Conclusion

Utilizing idioms not only enriches our language but also offers a playful and profound way to convey beginnings and actions. By integrating these expressions into your daily dialogue, you can communicate with clarity and creativity. Whether you’re embarking on a complex project or beginning a simple task, the right idiom can add flavor and emphasis to your narrative. Embrace these phrases, practice them, and watch as they transform your communication into an engaging tapestry of ideas.

About the author

Jodi Nathanson

Jodi Nathanson

Jodi Nathanson is a seasoned High School English Teacher with over 24 years of experience. A graduate of Queen’s University and certified English Honours Specialist, she’s passionate about helping others explore English through idioms, metaphors, and creative expression.