at the outset

Idioms  

1. Also, from the outset. At the start, from the start. For example, He wanted to explain his position from the outset, but there wasn't time, or At the outset the problem seemed simple, but then it became quite complicated. The noun outset is rarely heard today except in these phrases. [Mid-1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at the outset

Applying their approach to rolling periods of three years by only owning stocks that were small at the outset improved annual returns by 1.57 percentage points annually.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

If you have the bad luck of experiencing a market downturn at the outset, your slope of growth will forever be lower.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026

Nacua, who entered a rehabilitation facility in March, was not among players scheduled to speak with reporters at the outset of the Rams program, which includes three phases and ends in June.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

The town of Chorzów itself was one of the first invaded by German forces at the outset of the conflict in September 1939.

From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026

So, at the outset, I say frankly that there are phases of Native Son which I shall make no attempt to account for.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• initially
• originally