start off

phrasal verb

started off; starting off; starts off

1

: to start or cause (something) to start in a specified way

He started off by introducing himself.

She started off (her run) at a slow jog.

The performance started off badly.

—often + with

I started off my speech with a joke.

We started off the meal with shrimp cocktails.

The team started the season off with a 10-game winning streak.

2

: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start

She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.

3

: to begin an important period in one's life or career

The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.

4

: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction

She ate breakfast before starting off for work.

5

: to cause (someone) to begin doing a particular activity or action

He started his daughter off on the piano.

The game-show host started her off with some easy questions.

Examples of start off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The second nine started off clean for McIlroy, who poured in another birdie putt to go to 14-under. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Despite having to start off in the quarterfinals, Omaha defeated Madison in four sets, while Austin took down Salt Lake in five sets, sending both teams through to the semifinals. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025

The pros suggest starting off your routine with micellar water. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025

The tech-heavy Nasdaq, the S&P 500 and Russell 2000, which started off in positive territory as well, are flickering red and green. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for start off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff