9 English Phrasal Verbs With 'START'

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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.

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