hit the ground running

Idioms and Phrases

Seize an opportunity; begin at full speed. For example, As soon as the front office gave its approval for the new department, we hit the ground running . The origin of this term is disputed. It may come from troops dropped into a combat zone, from stowaways jumping off a freight train as it nears the station, or from Pony Express riders avoiding delay when they changed mounts.

Related Words

• begin
• inaugurate
• initiate
• launch
• take up