out of the blocks
1
6.8
- idiom
:
salir rápidamente
- She sprang out of the blocks with enthusiasm when the meeting began, eager to share her ideas.
Examples
-
President Trump has come out of the blocks roaring.
-
The runner was quick to get out of the blocks and took an early lead in the race.
-
After the whistle blew, the team shot out of the blocks, determined to score the first goal.
Synonyms
23
5.6
Happens immediately at the start with strong energy or quick success
23
3.7
Start doing something quickly and with a lot of energy
16
2.8
To start a meeting or project by taking the first step
4
3.8
To start something quickly and give it extra energy to grow
2
7.0
To start a task quickly with a lot of energy
2
4.8
To start quickly and get an early lead
1
4.9
Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress
To start something very quickly and with a lot of energy
Begin something very quickly and with a lot of energy
To start an activity very quickly and with a lot of energy
To make a sudden, energetic start in a new activity
Antonyms
How Fast
Surface Forms
Morphology
The expression draws on the sports image of runners leaving 'starting blocks', so while 'out' and 'blocks' give a loose directional/start image, the idiomatic sense 'to start very quickly' depends on knowledge of that metaphor. A B1 learner who knows the words but not the sporting context would likely not fully predict the meaning, so the phrase is partially but not fully transparent.
Etymology
Out of the blocks comes from running races: at the start, runners push forward and leap 'out of the blocks' that hold their feet. That's why it now means 'starting very quickly or energetically'.