start sharp

USAGE SUMMARY

"start sharp" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to suggest that something should begin on time. For example, "Let's start sharp at 9:00 so we can make sure to get everything finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I had to start sharp, try and get up the points and then I knew he was going to come for me.

BBC

Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire told BBC Essex: "It's nice when plans come together, we wanted to start sharp, we knew they would play three at the back.

BBC

"She had a good run last week, so I really tried to start sharp and tried to play my game to put pressure on her.

BBC

"We wanted to start sharp, we wanted to set the tempo, we want to be on the front foot, we want to put teams back and want them to fear us.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Neil Lennon knows his players will have to start sharper against Barcelona on Tuesday night despite a 5-2 win against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

BBC

Under a cluster of illuminated cocoons, this band — also from Canada as it happens and with an enticing new debut album, "Shrines" (4AD) — played chilly and tender electro-pop, its singer Megan James's vocals a drizzle that starts sharp and ends sumptuous.

The New York Times - Arts

Blackpool had started sharper but with their defenders playing too high a line they were susceptible.

The Guardian - Sport

The hypersonic plane would take off using a regular jet engine, before rocket boosters kick in to start a sharp ascent, sending the plane soaring above the atmosphere.

The Guardian - Business

We'll start with Sharp Japan announcing 16 new G-Series 120Hz AQUOS LCD TVs.

TechCrunch

That is when politicians started throwing sharp elbows.

The New York Times

Joseph Altuzarra started his sharp women's collection after working at Givenchy in Paris.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start sharp" to emphasize the importance of beginning an activity or event precisely on time. This can set a tone of professionalism and efficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "start sharp" in contexts where flexibility is needed. It's best suited for situations where punctuality is a priority, not where adjustments are expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start sharp" functions as an idiomatic expression, often used adverbially to modify a verb. Ludwig shows its frequent use in sports and news contexts to highlight punctuality or intensity at the beginning of an activity. It emphasizes the importance of beginning something promptly and efficiently.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start sharp" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance of beginning something precisely on time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it is commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to slightly informal tone. To ensure effective communication, it's best to use it in situations where punctuality is valued. Alternatives include phrases like "begin on time" or "commence immediately".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin on time

Directly states the importance of starting at the scheduled time, a core aspect of "start sharp".

start right away

Highlights the immediate nature of beginning, echoing the urgency in "start sharp".

begin promptly

Emphasizes the need for a timely start, similar to "start sharp" but uses different wording.

make an immediate start

Highlights the immediacy of the start, similar to the promptness implied in "start sharp".

begin punctually

Highlights the importance of starting on time, mirroring the precision implied by "start sharp".

get going immediately

Emphasizes the active start, similar to the proactive implication of "start sharp".

commence immediately

Focuses on the immediacy of the start, akin to the sense of urgency in "start sharp".

set off without hesitation

Focuses on the decisiveness of starting, reflecting the confident beginning suggested by "start sharp".

initiate without delay

Stresses the lack of waiting time before beginning, similar to the promptness of "start sharp".

kick off promptly

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a quick start, matching the energy of "start sharp".

FAQs

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

You can use "start sharp" to indicate the precise beginning of an event or activity. For example, "The meeting will "begin promptly" at 9 AM sharp."

What does "start sharp" mean?

"Start sharp" means to begin something precisely at the designated time, without delay.

Which is correct, "start sharp" or "begin sharply"?

While both are understandable, "start sharp" is the more common and idiomatic way to express beginning something right on time. "Begin sharply" might imply a more aggressive or sudden commencement.

What can I say instead of "start sharp"?

You can use alternatives like "begin on time", "begin punctually", or "commence immediately" depending on the context.