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Glite Dictionary
to start without

to start without

28 4.8
To begin an activity or meeting before someone arrives
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : empezar sin
  • Look, you better just start without me, okay?
  • go start without
  • go start without me, ahead
  • get started without

Examples

Synonyms

to begin
vsto start without
∞ 1.0

To start an activity, event, or speech

occurs before a particular person or group is present
to get the ball rolling
vsto start without
16 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

happens before a particular person or group is present
to lead off
vsto start without
10 3.8

To start an event or activity, for example a speech

takes place before a particular person or group is present

Antonyms

to wait
∞ 1.0

To stay in one place or delay action until something happens

Surface Forms

start without infinitive
started without past
started without past participle
starting without present participle
starts without third person singular

Morphology

start + without

The meaning is directly derivable from 'start' (to begin) + 'without' (in the absence of), so 'start without [someone]' transparently means to begin while that person is not present. This verb + preposition pattern is common in English and parallels constructions in many other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Start without comes from a simple image: a group begins a meeting while one person is not there, so they start 'without' that person. So it means 'to begin before someone arrives'.