start out

verb

1. to set out on a journey

2. to take the first steps, as in life, one's career, etc

   he started out as a salesman

3. to take the first actions in an activity in a particular way or specified aim

   they started out wanting a house, but eventually bought a flat

Idioms and Phrases

Set out on a trip, as in The climbers started out from base camp shortly after mid-night. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

“I first started out recreating scenes from existing films – imagine Danny exploring the Overlook Hotel from ‘The Shining’ just going down the halls – and once we had that, a door just opened.

From Salon

Logan, 58, started out as a defensive coordinator at Centennial for two years before taking over as head coach.

From Los Angeles Times

For the past five years, I’ve been interviewing Hollywood professionals about what they wish they’d known when they were starting out.

From Los Angeles Times

Jamie Daniel - who became a millionaire after starting out as a scrap metal dealer in Glasgow's Possil - founded and led the crime clan bearing his name.

From BBC

He started out as an exterminator in New York City and has spent his life immersed in rats.

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• blast off 
• disappear 
• escape 
• evacuate 
• exit 
• go 
• pull out 
• quit 
• remove 
• retire 
• vacate 
• withdraw