start off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Begin a journey, conversation or process
Why “off”? Someone or something leaves a starting point. An action or event can also begin.
“Let's start off with introductions.”
“We started off with a short song.”
Don't confuse with
Start off means begin a journey, conversation or process. Start over means begin something again from the beginning.
Start off means begin a process or journey. Start up means a machine begins operating.
Test yourself
“Let's start off with introductions.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
start over
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin something again from the beginning
start up
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin operating, of an engine, machine or computer; Establish a new business or organisation; (of a sound, conversation or activity) suddenly begin
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
clear off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay a debt completely
dash off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave in a great hurry
drive off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave by car; Force back by attacking
drop off
Same off pattern: departure
Take and leave someone or something at a location; Fall asleep, often unintentionally; Decrease in number, level or amount; Detach and fall away from something
fire off
Same off pattern: departure
Send a message quickly and forcefully
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