9 English Phrasal Verbs With 'START'

What's covered on this page

We have definitions for 9 phrasal verbs with 'START'

9 phrasal verbs with 'START'

Start off

  1. Make something start
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They STARTED OFF the meeting with an attack on our performance.
  2. Begin life, a career or existence
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She STARTED OFF as a receptionist and ended up as the CEO.
  3. Begin a journey
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: We STARTED OFF early because we knew the journey would take all day.
  4. Make someone laugh
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: I was trying to be serious, but their comment STARTED me OFF.

Start off on

  1. Help someone to start a piece or work or activity
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: I STARTED her OFF ON the project then left her to finish it.

Start on

  1. Begin to use or consume
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: It's time to START ON that bottle of wine.
  2. Criticise angrily
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The manager was furious and STARTED ON her staff for not trying hard enough.

Start on at

  1. Criticise or nag
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: He STARTED ON AT me for being late.

Start out

  1. Begin a journey
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: We STARTED OUT early in the morning.

Start out as

  1. Begin life, existence or a career
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: What had STARTED OUT AS a protest quickly turned into a full-blown rebellion.

Start out to

  1. Intend, plan
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I didn't START OUT TO become the boss- it just happened.

Start over

  1. Begin something again
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: It's a mess- I think we should just START OVER.

Start up

  1. Open a business
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The firm STARTED UP on a shoestring budget.
  2. Begin, especially sounds
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: There was a pause, then the noise STARTED UP again.
  3. When an engine starts working
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The car STARTED UP first time.
  4. Make an engine work
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: I STARTED the car UP.
  5. Sit or stand upright because someone has surprised you
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: He STARTED UP when I entered the room and tried to hide what he was doing.

Take our Exercise on 'START'

Quiz for Verb: 'To START'

Choose the correct definition for each phrasal verb...

'Start off' means...

'Start up' means...

'Start up' means...

'Start on at' means...

'Start out as' means...

'Start on' means...

'Start off' means...

'Start out to' means...

'Start over' means...

'Start up' means...

 

Trustpilot