hit the ground running

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.

Example Sentences

It is not even certain that he will be able to form a government, but he will have to hit the ground running.

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In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.

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It meant, this fall, they had to hit the ground running.

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Once they saw the audience was on board, he felt like the show had the go ahead to hit the ground running from putting musical moments within the stories to eventually having musical episodes.

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She hit the ground running and added a creative nous and cutting edge to an already strong frontline.

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Related Words

• begin 
• inaugurate 
• initiate 
• launch 
• take up