start off

verb

1. (intr) to set out on a journey

2. to be or make the first step in an activity; initiate

   he started the show off with a lively song

3. (tr) to cause (a person) to act or do something, such as to laugh, to tell stories, etc

Idioms and Phrases

Set out on a trip, as in We plan to start off in the morning . [Early 1800s] Also see start out .

start someone off . Cause someone to set out or to begin something, as in Mother packed their lunches and started them off , or Paul started them off on their multiplication tables . [Early 1700s] For start off on the right foot , see get off on the right foot .

Related Words

• affect 
• animate 
• arouse 
• cause 
• embolden 
• excite 
• galvanize 
• get 
• hearten 
• impress 
• influence 
• instill 
• motivate 
• produce 
• provoke 
• spark 
• spur 
• stir 
• sway 
• touch