low start

USAGE SUMMARY

The term 'low start' is a colloquial phrase that can be used to refer to a situation or a person's beginnings that are not as successful or advantageous as they could be. For example, "The new business got off to a low start, but eventually it succeeded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Sticky from the Urban Freeflow team (the world's largest parkour organisation) says his motto is "start low, start slow"; he encourages beginners to practise regularly in a gym before thinking about any outdoor leaps.

The Guardian

A year after they were labelled a "ticking timebomb" by the City regulator, interest-only mortgages are set for a comeback after two leading banks said they would make "low start" deals available to branch customers.

The Guardian - Money

McDowell began the day two strokes behind Woods in the Cadillac Championship, and after playing the front nine in 32 strokes, equaling the low start of the day, he was still one shot behind.

The New York Times - Sports

The Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks – which are allowing homebuyers to borrow up to 80% of a home's value – said: "Low start has been designed to meet this specific need within the market for a mortgage which initially offers lower payments, but also provides the peace of mind that the full loan will be paid off over the term".

The Guardian - Money

Conversely, an athlete with a low start point might have a higher ceiling.

Sports Medicine - Open

"It's been a bit of a low start" for the chat bot industry in general thus far, Mike Roberts, head of mobile development at Kik, admitted to TechCrunch in an interview.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Low start-up costs.

The Guardian

For the sites offering these games, low-end programs mean low start-up costs.

The New York Times - Tech

They are all businesses without storefronts and with low start-up costs.

The New York Times

They offer their owner-members relatively low start-up costs along with the opportunity to shape company policy.

The New York Times

Low start-up costs for Internet businesses could turn Egypt into one of the region's entrepreneurial hot spots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project's initial phase, use "low start" to honestly portray early challenges and set realistic expectations for future progress. It can help manage stakeholder expectations by acknowledging initial limitations.

Common error

Avoid equating a "low start" with a lack of eventual success. A "low start" often signifies initial challenges that can be overcome with persistence and adaptation. Do not use it to prematurely dismiss the future viability of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low start" functions primarily as a modifier combined with a noun (e.g., "low start costs", "low start point"). Ludwig AI confirms that it characterizes the initial phase of something, indicating limited resources, success, or progress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low start" describes a beginning characterized by limitations or challenges. As analyzed, this phrase functions as a modifier, setting a context of initial difficulty, and maintains a neutral register appropriate for various contexts including news, science, and business. Ludwig AI provides examples highlighting its use in describing everything from project management to athletic performance. Although "low start" is not among the most frequent of English phrases, it effectively communicates the nature of an unpromising commencement. Recognizing this phrase's nuances helps in setting realistic expectations and fostering resilience in the face of early obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak beginning

Emphasizes the feebleness or lack of strength in the initial phase.

modest commencement

Highlights the humble and unassuming nature of the start.

inauspicious start

Suggests an unfavorable or unlucky beginning.

slow kickoff

Implies a gradual or delayed initiation.

unpromising beginning

Indicates that the initial signs are not encouraging.

underdeveloped launch

Focuses on the lack of maturity or readiness at the outset.

unsuccessful launch

Highlights that the start was not characterized by failure.

limited inception

Points to restrictions or constraints from the very beginning.

humble origin

Describes a start from a position of insignificance.

meager roots

Highlights that the start was characterized by a lack of resources or development.

FAQs

How can I use "low start" in a sentence?

You can use "low start" to describe a situation, project, or endeavor that begins with limited resources, success, or progress. For example, "The project had a "low start" due to budget constraints, but it eventually thrived."

What's a better alternative to "low start"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "weak beginning", "modest commencement", or "inauspicious start" to convey a similar meaning while varying your language.

Is it correct to say "a start low" instead of "low start"?

No, the correct and idiomatic phrasing is ""low start"". "A start low" is not a standard English expression.

What does it mean if something has a "low start"?

If something has a ""low start"", it means it began with limited success, resources, or progress. It suggests initial challenges or a less-than-ideal beginning.