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Glite Dictionary
to get to first base

to get to first base

4 7.7
To make the first real progress in work or a relationship
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : hacer progresos iniciales
  • It is so difficult to get to first base in terms of discussing that kind of institutional change with the actual parties that I do not think it has gotten out of the realm of academic and policy reflection.
  • ever get to first base
  • even get to first base

So I, I couldn't get to first base, but you know, I, I just keep mumbling into the vapors.

Examples

Synonyms

to get started
vsto get to first base
481 1.8

To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting

indicates an early step that includes some actual forward progress
to get the ball rolling
vsto get to first base
16 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

focuses on beginning action rather than reaching an initial measurable success
to get off to a flying start
vsto get to first base
1 4.9

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

is a milder initial advance rather than a very successful early surge

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to fail
898 1.0

Not succeed in doing something you wanted to do

How Far

finish
125 1.1
to get to
∞ 2.4
to get to first base
  • Informal
4 7.7
to start out
286 1.4
to go nowhere fast
  • Informal
3 5.5

Surface Forms

get to first base infinitive
getting to first base present participle
gets to first base third person singular
got to first base past
got to first base past participle

Morphology

get + to + first + base

The phrase literally reads as 'get to first base' (reach the first station), so there is a clear link to the constituent meanings, but the figurative sense of 'making initial progress' depends on a cultural/baseball metaphor. Because that metaphorical mapping is common in English but not universally known or predictable from the words alone for a B1 learner, the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Get to first base may come from baseball, where a batter runs to first base after hitting the ball and this is the first step toward scoring. So, to get to first base now means to 'make the first step' or reach the first stage of success or closeness in a task or relationship.