running start


noun

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.
an initial advantage in undertaking something; a head start: His background gave him a running start in business.

Origin of running start

First recorded in 1925–30

Idioms and Phrases with running start

running start

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.