flying start

American  

noun

1. a start, as in sailboat racing, in which the entrants begin moving before reaching the starting line.

2. a start or beginning of anything, characterized by the participant's vigor and enthusiasm and sometimes by a certain advantage over competitors.

   She's off to a flying start in her new job.

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flying start British  

noun

1. Also called (informal): flyer.  (in sprinting) a start by a competitor anticipating the starting signal

2. a start to a race or time trial in which the competitor is already travelling at speed as he passes the starting line

3. any promising beginning

4. an initial advantage over others

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flying start Idioms  

1. see under get off the ground.

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Etymology

Origin of flying start

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

After Canada won the toss and elected to field, Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram got South Africa off to a flying start, putting on an opening stand of 70 in 6.5 overs.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Nicola Davies, the Children's Laureate for Wales, said reading to very young children gave them a "flying start".

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

New Zealand got off to a flying start racing to 69 off 7.1 overs before Tim Robinson departed for a hard-hit 45, having smacked five fours and three sixes.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

British sprinter Matthew Richardson wants to become the "fastest track cyclist of all time" as he aims to break the 200m flying start time trial world record in Turkey next week.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

He backed up so he could get a flying start and then we whooped across the bridge, our wheels clattering across the loose boards, space gaping below.

From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz