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jumping-off point

jumping-off point

7 4.2
A place, idea, or situation where new action begins
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ ɔf pɔɪnt/
translation icon : punto de partida
  • Teachers recognize the possibilities for using the Kennedy assassination as a jumping-off point for the study of social studies.

So I think even just to maybe use that as a jumping off point.

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Examples

  • And so I used that as a jumping-off point.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Distinguished Italian writer Claudio Magris, for instance, adopted Paolini's book as a jumping-off point for the discussion of euthanasia, one of Italy's most complex and controversial bioethical issues.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Let's use that as a jumping off point.

  • Guy's post was my jumping-off point when I started my first post!

    Blog text (20)
  • Parents can use our links section as a jumping-off point to access other useful resources.

    Blog text (17)
  • "One of the best examples of inspiration was the jumping-off point for the storyline in Q Is for Quarry."

    Academic text (2011)
  • In Niagara Falling, the hometown history of video artist David Hodge becomes a jumping-off point and a warning.

    Blog text (11)
  • Tough Guise, subtitled Violence, Media, and the Crisis in Masculinity, is a good jumping-off point.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Final Fantasy VI is an easy jumping-off point for understanding how games combine the Apollonian and Dionysian.

    Blog text (16)
  • Fort Lauderdale is a major jumping-off point for people on Caribbean cruises.

Synonyms

start
vsjumping-off point
1.0

The time or place when something begins

focuses on a moment or signal rather than being the base for further development
starting point
vsjumping-off point
69 3.0

A place, time, or situation that people use as a basis for later action

is about beginnings that specifically lead to later progress rather than only the initial time
springboard
vsjumping-off point
12 4.2

A thing that helps someone start or grow a career

is a place, idea, or situation rather than a helping tool
jump-off
vsjumping-off point
  • US
4 4.1

The place or time where an event begins

is used more widely for places or ideas that enable further progress
springboard for
vsjumping-off point
3 4.3

Something that helps you start and make progress in a job or career

is broader, applying to any place, idea, or situation to begin progress
point of departure
vsjumping-off point
1 4.5

An idea or fact used as a starting point for discussion and work

is the everyday phrase for any place, idea, or situation to begin progress
jumping-off place
vsjumping-off point
1 6.3

A place where someone starts a journey, project, or activity

is broader, covering ideas and situations as well as physical places for beginning
start-off
vsjumping-off point
3.2

The first moment when a race or event begins

is broader, applying to places or situations that start wider development or action

Antonyms

167 2.2

The last part of an event, activity, or piece of writing

How Useful

launching pad
  • Specialized
4 4.4
jumping-off point
7 4.2
meeting place
17 1.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

jumping-off + point

The meaning 'a place or idea from which further action can begin' is directly built from 'jumping off' (the act of starting or launching) plus 'point' (a place or stage), so the sense of a 'starting place' is compositional. This starting-point metaphor is cross-linguistically common (e.g. 'punto de partida'/'point de départ'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Jumping-off point comes from the simple image of standing on a high point and jumping-off to begin a journey or action. So it now means a place or idea you use to 'begin' something new.