off to a flying start

USAGE SUMMARY

"off to a flying start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is beginning successfully. For example, "The project is off to a flying start thanks to everyone's hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Chiefs got off to a flying start.

Independent

The store got off to a flying start.

The New York Times - Tech

Want to get those resolutions off to a flying start?

The Guardian

But it is Stevens who can get his men off to a flying start.

Independent

Around two dozen new competitors for private customers' business have got off to a flying start.

The Economist

Dressing Room is off to a flying start and what promises to be an extended run.

The New York Times

My interview with Courtney Love does not get off to a flying start.

The Guardian - Music

For all these reasons, 2016 looks likely to get off to a flying start.

The Guardian

The season got off to a flying start with the birth of Sophie's baby.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Let's not get carried away, but Abenomics seems to be getting off to a flying start.

The Guardian - Business

"Singing nursery rhymes with young children will get them off to a flying start," she said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific performance, use "off to a flying start" to illustrate rapid progress, and momentum.

Common error

Avoid assuming long-term success based solely on an "off to a flying start". Initial success doesn't guarantee continued positive results; sustained effort and adaptation are still necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off to a flying start" functions as an idiomatic expression. It primarily acts as a descriptor to indicate that something has begun very successfully, achieving immediate positive results. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe successful beginnings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "off to a flying start" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe something that has begun very successfully. As Ludwig AI validates, it accurately conveys immediate positive results and is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While adaptable to many situations, it's important to remember that an initial "flying start" does not guarantee long-term success. When seeking alternative expressions, consider options like "promising start" or "successful launch" to suit the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promising start

Highlights the potential for future success based on the initial stages.

successful launch

Emphasizes the act of initiating something with positive results.

blazing start

Similar to flying, but with an emphasis on intense, fiery energy.

roaring start

Suggests a powerful and attention-grabbing commencement.

auspicious beginning

Implies a start that is favored by circumstances or signs, suggesting future success.

propitious start

Similar to "auspicious beginning", indicating favorable conditions.

favorable commencement

A more formal way of describing a start that is advantageous.

triumphant initiation

Highlights an act of beginning with great success.

head start

Indicates an early advantage that puts someone ahead of others.

fruitful inception

Implies that the beginning is productive and yielding positive outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "off to a flying start" in a sentence?

You can use "off to a flying start" to describe a project, career, or event that has begun successfully. For example: "The new marketing campaign got "off to a flying start", exceeding all initial projections."

What does it mean to get "off to a flying start"?

To get "off to a flying start" means to begin something with great momentum and success, indicating a promising outlook for future progress.

What are some alternative phrases for "off to a flying start"?

Some alternatives include "promising start", "successful launch", or "auspicious beginning", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "off for a flying start"?

No, the correct phrase is ""off to a flying start"". The preposition "to" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically correct and idiomatic.