hit the ground running

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hit the ground running

And they need to have a battle plan so they can hit the ground running in January.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

So his parents decided to hold Trent back a year, knowing that an extra year of preparation would help him hit the ground running.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

There has been significant change in the City squad this summer and with the season already under way Anderson, Bouaddi and possibly Fernandez will all need to hit the ground running.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

The All Blacks needed to hit the ground running under Rennie after Scott Robertson's departure in January.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

I scamper down the tree and hit the ground running in the opposite direction of the lake.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

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Related Words

• begin
• inaugurate
• initiate
• launch
• take up

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