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Glite Dictionary
to fly out of the blocks

to fly out of the blocks

6.7
Begin something very quickly and with a lot of energy
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : salir disparado
  • The runner flew out of the blocks at the start of the race.

Examples

  • The new product flew out of the blocks and became a bestseller within weeks of its launch.

  • She tends to fly out of the blocks at work meetings, making her points immediately.

  • If our team flies out of the blocks in the first quarter, we'll put pressure on the opposition early.

  • She always flies out of the blocks when the race begins!

  • The runner flew out of the blocks at the start of the race, quickly gaining the lead.

  • If our team flies out of the blocks from the beginning, we will maximize our chances of winning.

  • She always flies out of the blocks during new projects, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the team.

Synonyms

to get going
vsto fly out of the blocks
422 2.3

To start doing something or to leave

is similar but adds a sense of strong speed and energetic motion
to jump
vsto fly out of the blocks
  • Informal
366 1.8

To join an activity or take an opportunity quickly and eagerly

is faster and more energetic specifically at the initial moment
to jump into
vsto fly out of the blocks
38 3.0

Start taking part in something quickly and with enthusiasm

stresses rapid and forceful beginning rather than mere eagerness
to get off the ground
vsto fly out of the blocks
38 4.2

Start a project or business successfully so it begins to work

emphasizes immediate high energy at the very start rather than general success
to dive in
vsto fly out of the blocks
  • Informal
23 3.7

Start doing something quickly and with a lot of energy

is more about speed and external energy at the very start
to get the ball rolling
vsto fly out of the blocks
16 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

is about starting very fast and energetically rather than merely initiating
to come out swinging
vsto fly out of the blocks
  • Informal
13 7.5

To start something immediately with strong, aggressive action

is similar but less about aggression and more about plain quickness
to jumpstart
vsto fly out of the blocks
9 4.7

To make something begin or become active quickly and with energy

focuses on energetic personal beginning rather than reactivating a stalled thing
to kickstart
vsto fly out of the blocks
4 3.8

To start something quickly and give it extra energy to grow

is about immediate personal start energy rather than initiating progress
to take wing
vsto fly out of the blocks
  • Literature
3 5.8

Begin to fly, like birds rising into the air or projects starting to do well

is more about energetic human beginning at a specific early moment
to break into a run
vsto fly out of the blocks
3 1.7

To suddenly start running, often after walking or standing still

shares sudden motion but is literal and physical rather than general energetic start
to jump off
vsto fly out of the blocks
2 4.8

To start quickly and get an early lead

focuses on fast energetic starting rather than necessarily gaining quick success
to get off to a flying start
vsto fly out of the blocks
1 4.9

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

is about fast energetic start rather than early measurable success
to jump headlong
vsto fly out of the blocks
1 7.3

To start something quickly without thinking about the risks

matches speed but differs by adding a reckless, unthinking quality
to storm out of the blocks
vsto fly out of the blocks
  • Informal
8.0

To start something very quickly and with a lot of energy

is equally quick but focuses on energetic beginning rather than forceful power
to sally into
vsto fly out of the blocks
8.4

To make a sudden, energetic start in a new activity

is similar but focuses more on immediate raw speed than suddenness
to push into overdrive
vsto fly out of the blocks
6.1

To work much harder and faster to get something done

is about a quick initial burst rather than sustained heightened effort

Antonyms

to lag
24 3.0

To move or develop more slowly than others

to dawdle
17 5.0

Move or act slowly and waste time, causing delay

How Quickly

to blast off
10 4.1
to take off
273 3.2
to fly out of the blocks
6.7
to get going
422 2.3
to dawdle
17 5.0

Surface Forms

fly out of the blocks infinitive
flying out of the blocks present participle
flies out of the blocks third person singular
flew out of the blocks past
flown out of the blocks past participle

Morphology

fly + out + of + the + blocks

The verb 'fly' (move very quickly) combined with 'out' suggests rapid departure, so part of the meaning ('start very quickly') is recoverable from the constituents. However, the phrase relies on the sports-specific image of 'starting blocks' and a metaphorical extension, so the exact sense requires some prior exposure or knowledge of the athletics usage.

Etymology

The phrasal verb fly out of the blocks comes from track racing. At the start of a race, runners push hard and seem to fly out of the starting blocks, so the phrase now means 'to start very quickly and energetically'.