start a hare

USAGE SUMMARY

"start a hare" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
However, you could use the phrase "set a hare running," which has a similar meaning. For example, "The news set a hare running, and people began to speculate about the cause of the accident."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. James says she has inspired him to start a "Hare Society," though he sees himself in tortoise terms.

The New York Times

By the way - while I am panting - the Concise Oxford Dictionary says, very mildly, that the expression "start a hare" means "raise a topic of conversation"; but Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (revised edition, 1981) comes closer to the real meaning, in my opinion, by adding the usually relevant word "irrelevant" to the definition.

The Guardian - Books

"I don't want to start a hare running on this, other than we are going to take a closer look".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He writes that the King and a hunting party started a hare which "led them along the delightful banks of the River Hull to the hamlet of Wyke … [Edward], charmed with the scene before him, viewed with delight the advantageous situation of this hitherto neglected and obscure corner.

Wikipedia

So after another three years of relentless graveling to be paid writer (what a novel idea!!!), last week my mind hatched the hare-brained scheme to start a Kickstarter campaign to pay Ira Israel $1,000,000 NOT to write for the next ten years.

Huffington Post

He may well be right that none of his people were involved - personally I take his word for it - but he can't guarantee that a half-remembered casual — or deliberate — remark in a pub did not start this hare running.

The Guardian

L'Esplanade Restaurant, 24250 Domme, 18.6 miles from Les Eyzies, (33-5) 53.28.31.41, offers classic dishes such as grilled scallops with foie gras to start and hare simmered in red wine with foie gras and truffles; a meal for two with wine costs about $130.

The New York Times

Start here: The Hare with Amber Eyes has, as they say in show biz, everything.

HuffPost

Start listening to hare Krishna music wich wil inspire you.

WikiHow

A hare started to run about Labour's intentions on income.

The Guardian

Well, okay, so astronauts aren't likely to start asking 'are we there yet?' or get sick on the ferry, but the problem of keeping an even psychological keel  during space flights (it's seven months to Mars for example) is very real.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "start a hare", consider using the more idiomatic and widely accepted phrase "set a hare running" to convey the meaning of raising an irrelevant issue or distraction.

Common error

Avoid using "start a hare" as it's not a recognized idiom. Opt for "set a hare running" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start a hare" aims to denote the initiation of a diversionary topic. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, and the intended meaning is more accurately conveyed by the idiom "set a hare running."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "start a hare" may seem intuitive, it is not a recognized or grammatically correct idiom. Ludwig AI indicates its incorrectness. The intended meaning – to introduce a distracting or irrelevant topic – is better conveyed by the idiom "set a hare running". It's recommended to avoid "start a hare" in formal writing and instead use the established idiom or other alternatives like "raise a topic" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Although sources like The New York Times and BBC appear, the rarity and incorrectness of "start a hare" suggest caution in its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a hare running

A more idiomatic and correct version of the original phrase, implying diversion.

raise a topic

Focuses on introducing a subject for discussion, removing the negative connotation.

bring up a subject

Similar to raising a topic, but more neutral in tone.

initiate a discussion

Focuses on the commencement of a conversation.

launch a conversation

Suggests a deliberate start to a discussion.

introduce a matter

More formal way of presenting a topic for consideration.

spark a debate

Highlights the beginning of a formal discussion.

broach a subject

A more formal way of introducing a sensitive or difficult topic.

ignite a controversy

Emphasizes the potential for disagreement and conflict.

trigger an argument

Implies that the action will lead to dispute.

FAQs

What does "set a hare running" mean?

The idiom "set a hare running" means to introduce a topic or issue that distracts from the main subject or leads to a pointless discussion.

Is "start a hare" a correct phrase?

No, "start a hare" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. The proper idiom is "set a hare running".

What can I say instead of "start a hare"?

Since "start a hare" is not a recognized idiom, use "set a hare running" or other alternatives like "raise an irrelevant point" or "introduce a distraction".

How to use "set a hare running" in a sentence?

Example: "By bringing up that old argument, he set a hare running and derailed the meeting."