start off

To begin an activity, often in a particular way.

• Let us start off with a game.
• He started off as a teacher.
• The meeting started off well but ended badly.

How to use it: start off with something (We started off with a simple exercise.); start off by doing something (Start off by washing your hands.); start off as something (She started off as a shop assistant.)

Similar words: begin, start

Opposites: finish, end

Common phrases: start off slowly, start off well, start off with something

To leave a place and begin a journey.

• We started off early.
• They started off for home after lunch.
• What time should we start off tomorrow?

How to use it: start off for somewhere (We started off for the coast at dawn.); start off on something (They started off on their journey after breakfast.)

Similar words: set off, set out

Opposites: arrive

Common phrases: start off early, start off home

To make someone begin laughing, crying, or talking about a familiar subject.

• That joke started him off laughing.
• Mentioning her dog started her off crying again.
• Do not start him off about his old job.

How to use it: start someone off on/about something (Do not start her off on politics.); start someone off doing something (That joke started us all off laughing.)

Similar words: set off, trigger

Common phrases: start someone off, start someone off laughing