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Glite Dictionary
🚀 Energetic beginning 🏃 Start while moving
running start

running start

3 3.4
A quick, strong beginning that gives an early advantage
  • noun
translation icon : inicio enérgico
  • With a running start, you can jump over the ditch more easily.
  • get a running start
  • a good running start
  • take a running start

But so let me get a running start and let you know where we were, finish up that lecture and then move into the topics for today.

Examples

  • To win the race, he took off with a powerful running start.

  • Krystin took a running start and leapt into the air, planting both feet on Djimon's back.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • He takes a running start.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • But so let me get a running start and let you know where we were, finish up that lecture and then move into the topics for today.

    YaleCourses

  • I'm sure G Sep didn't just have a running start either.

  • I'm sure G Sep didn't just have a running start either.

  • He approached them with a running start and vaulted over them, one after another, without touching them with any part of his body.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Tanaka was two meters away from the tree, bracing for a running start at a second jump, and the pursuing Jarada had almost closed the distance.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Getting a running start in your new job will help you reach your targets faster.

Synonyms

flying start
vsrunning start
  • Informal
1 3.7

A very good beginning that gives an early advantage

gives energy and ongoing momentum rather than just speed

Antonyms

to disadvantage
18 4.7

To make someone or something less able to succeed than others

How Energetic

running start
3 3.4
briskness
1 3.5

Surface Forms

running start singular
running starts plural

Morphology

running + start

The meaning is a clear extension of the literal components: 'running' + 'start' suggests a beginning with motion or extra energy, so learners who know both words can infer a related physical sense. However, the transferred/abstract meaning (an initial advantage or momentum in non-physical contexts) is metaphorical and not fully predictable without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Running start comes from the same racing image: beginning with speed, like a runner before the start. Having a running start gives you an early 'advantage' or 'extra push', so it means 'an energetic beginning that helps you succeed'.